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Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation

2.7K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
White Expected Score44.5%Range (90% confident): 43.0% – 46.1%Based on 2.7K games
0%44.5%100%
Range (90% confident): 43.0% – 46.1%
Outcome Distribution
41.8%5.3%52.9%
Win
Draw
Loss
11.Qf3
Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation
Analyzen=2.7K
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate5.3%

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 44.5% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 43.0% and 46.1%), based on 2.7K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 35%

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1200-1399: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1400-1599: 58.6% win rate (13 games)
  • 1600-1799: 42.0% win rate (102 games)
  • 1800-1999: 39.0% win rate (443 games)
  • 2000-2199: 41.3% win rate (1,123 games)
  • 2200-2499: 44.3% win rate (934 games)
  • 2500+: 34.6% win rate (104 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (43%), worst in Classical (20%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 40.5% win rate (794 games)
  • Blitz: 42.8% win rate (1,653 games)
  • Rapid: 40.6% win rate (263 games)
  • Classical: 20.0% win rate (11 games)

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999—————
1000-1199————
1200-1399————
1400-1599——
1600-1799—
1800-1999—
2000-2199—
2200-2499—
2500+——

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 76.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 36.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 42.1% expected score (30 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 46.1% expected score (62 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 64.3% expected score (9 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 34.8% expected score (94 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 43.7% expected score (313 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 51.5% expected score (33 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 27.8% expected score (3 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 44.2% expected score (240 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 44.1% expected score (765 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 39.1% expected score (113 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 43.9% expected score (334 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 49.3% expected score (497 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 46.1% expected score (101 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 64.3% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 39.5% expected score (89 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (10 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 27.0% expected score (5 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Semi-Slav Defense
51.5%
Variations (5)
Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Meran Variation
50.4%
Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order
50.8%
Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit
48.2%
Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Noteboom, Stonewall Variation, Portisch Gambit
54.1%
Semi-Slav Defense: Bogoljubov Variation
51.5%
Analyze Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 41.8% (90% CI: 40.3%-43.4%) win rate for white, based on 2.7K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation perform best?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 44.3% win rate for white (934 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (42.8%) outperforms Rapid (40.6%) by 2.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a sharpness score of 94.7 (decisive), meaning 94.7% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 42.0% (90% CI: 34.2%-50.1%) win rate for white, based on 102 Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 8.2% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 39.0% (90% CI: 35.3%-42.9%) win rate for white, based on 443 Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 6.2% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 41.3% (90% CI: 38.9%-43.7%) win rate for white, based on 1.1K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 4.3% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 44.3% (90% CI: 41.6%-47.0%) win rate for white, based on 934 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 5.5% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 34.6% (90% CI: 27.2%-42.3%) win rate for white, based on 104 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 10.0% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 40.5% (90% CI: 37.7%-43.4%) win rate for white (794 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.0%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 42.8% (90% CI: 40.8%-44.8%) win rate for white (1.7K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.7%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation has a 40.6% (90% CI: 35.7%-45.6%) win rate for white (263 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.6%.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation a good opening?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation is slightly favors black with a 41.8% (90% CI: 40.3%-43.4%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2200-2499 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.