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Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation

1.7K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score50.9%Range (90% confident): 48.9% – 52.8%Based on 1.7K games
0%50.9%100%
Range (90% confident): 48.9% – 52.8%
Outcome Distribution
48.1%5.5%46.4%
Win
Draw
Loss
10.e5
Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation
Analyzen=1.7K
Avg Length36 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate5.5%

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 50.9% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 48.9% and 52.8%), based on 1.7K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.0% · Blitz best · Rapid worst

White Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 60% → 43%

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 60.0% win rate (6 games)
  • 1200-1399: 33.3% win rate (3 games)
  • 1400-1599: 52.0% win rate (11 games)
  • 1600-1799: 59.7% win rate (58 games)
  • 1800-1999: 48.3% win rate (312 games)
  • 2000-2199: 43.1% win rate (600 games)
  • 2200-2499: 52.0% win rate (623 games)
  • 2500+: 43.4% win rate (101 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (50%), worst in Classical (13%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 46.9% win rate (518 games)
  • Blitz: 50.0% win rate (1,022 games)
  • Rapid: 42.0% win rate (164 games)
  • Classical: 13.0% win rate (10 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, Bullet: 83.4% expected score (3 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 73.1% expected score (5 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 39.7% expected score (13 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 69.8% expected score (39 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 46.9% expected score (79 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 52.4% expected score (207 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 44.2% expected score (24 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 40.5% expected score (135 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 47.1% expected score (389 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (71 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 19.3% expected score (5 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 54.2% expected score (212 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 57.3% expected score (355 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 43.7% expected score (54 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 49.3% expected score (70 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 56.2% expected score (23 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (8 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: Meran Variation, Old Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation win rate?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 48.1% (90% CI: 46.1%-50.0%) win rate for white, based on 1.7K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation perform best?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation performs best at 1600-1799 Elo with a 59.7% win rate for white (58 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (50.0%) outperforms Rapid (42.0%) by 8.0%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a sharpness score of 94.5 (decisive), meaning 94.5% of games end decisively. Average game length is 36 moves.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 48.3% (90% CI: 43.7%-53.0%) win rate for white, based on 312 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.0% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 43.1% (90% CI: 39.8%-46.5%) win rate for white, based on 600 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.9% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 52.0% (90% CI: 48.7%-55.2%) win rate for white, based on 623 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 6.0% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 43.4% (90% CI: 35.5%-51.5%) win rate for white, based on 101 Lichess games. Average game length is 46 moves with a 15.1% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 43.3%-50.5%) win rate for white (518 Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.6%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 50.0% (90% CI: 47.4%-52.5%) win rate for white (1.0K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.8%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation has a 42.0% (90% CI: 35.8%-48.3%) win rate for white (164 Lichess games). Draw rate is 9.4%.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation a good opening?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation is statistically balanced with a 48.1% (90% CI: 46.1%-50.0%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1600-1799 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.