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Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation

229K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score48.7%Range (90% confident): 48.5% – 48.9%Based on 229K games
0%48.7%100%
Range (90% confident): 48.5% – 48.9%
Outcome Distribution
46.1%5.1%48.8%
Win
Draw
Loss
8.Be2
Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation
Analyzen=229K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate5.1%

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.7% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 48.5% and 48.9%), based on 229K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 15.8% · UltraBullet best · Classical worst

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 49% → 40%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 49.1% win rate (1,439 games)
  • 1000-1199: 47.3% win rate (5,176 games)
  • 1200-1399: 46.9% win rate (11,865 games)
  • 1400-1599: 47.3% win rate (23,061 games)
  • 1600-1799: 46.4% win rate (41,258 games)
  • 1800-1999: 46.7% win rate (53,340 games)
  • 2000-2199: 46.3% win rate (47,712 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.0% win rate (35,901 games)
  • 2500+: 39.8% win rate (9,484 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (47%), worst in UltraBullet (40%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 39.8% win rate (143 games)
  • Bullet: 45.8% win rate (89,411 games)
  • Blitz: 46.2% win rate (115,072 games)
  • Rapid: 46.9% win rate (23,403 games)
  • Classical: 47.2% win rate (1,207 games)

Black% 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

  • 0-999 rating, UltraBullet: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 52.1% expected score (674 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (626 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 50.4% expected score (137 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 63.1% expected score (10 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 47.0% expected score (2,450 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (2,215 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.7% expected score (498 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 27.8% expected score (3 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 41.4% expected score (16 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 47.5% expected score (5,392 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 48.9% expected score (5,313 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 52.2% expected score (1,122 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (22 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 18.6% expected score (24 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 48.1% expected score (8,817 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 49.5% expected score (11,605 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 50.2% expected score (2,524 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 49.0% expected score (91 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 45.8% expected score (46 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 47.3% expected score (14,634 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 49.3% expected score (21,546 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 48.8% expected score (4,675 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 53.9% expected score (357 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 44.8% expected score (27 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 46.8% expected score (18,268 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (27,597 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 52.0% expected score (7,000 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 53.1% expected score (448 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 71.1% expected score (8 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 47.7% expected score (16,571 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 49.5% expected score (25,715 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 51.2% expected score (5,182 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 51.3% expected score (236 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 26.2% expected score (9 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 48.6% expected score (16,312 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 48.1% expected score (17,471 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 47.1% expected score (2,066 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 46.7% expected score (43 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 46.6% expected score (6,293 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 43.3% expected score (2,984 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 46.3% expected score (199 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 44.1% expected score (7 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Semi-Slav Defense
51.5%
Variations (5)
Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order
50.8%
Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line
51.8%
Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit
53.5%
Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation
49.8%
Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense
48.6%
Analyze Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 48.6%-48.9%) win rate for white, based on 229K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation perform best?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation performs best at 1200-1399 Elo with a 49.8% win rate for white (12K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation better in blitz or rapid?

UltraBullet (58.5%) outperforms Classical (42.7%) by 15.8%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a sharpness score of 94.9 (decisive), meaning 94.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.4% (90% CI: 46.3%-50.6%) win rate for white, based on 1.4K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.5% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 50.1% (90% CI: 48.9%-51.2%) win rate for white, based on 5.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.7% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 49.1%-50.6%) win rate for white, based on 12K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 49.3% (90% CI: 48.8%-49.9%) win rate for white, based on 23K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 3.4% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 49.3% (90% CI: 48.8%-49.7%) win rate for white, based on 41K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.4% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.5% (90% CI: 48.1%-48.8%) win rate for white, based on 53K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 4.8% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.3% (90% CI: 47.9%-48.6%) win rate for white, based on 48K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 5.4% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.5% (90% CI: 48.1%-48.9%) win rate for white, based on 36K Lichess games. Average game length is 40 moves with a 6.5% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 47.9%-49.6%) win rate for white, based on 9.5K Lichess games. Average game length is 43 moves with a 11.4% draw rate.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 58.5% (90% CI: 51.7%-65.1%) win rate for white (143 Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.7%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 50.7% (90% CI: 50.4%-51.0%) win rate for white (89K Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.5%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 47.9% (90% CI: 47.7%-48.1%) win rate for white (115K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.9%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 46.0% (90% CI: 45.5%-46.5%) win rate for white (23K Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.1%.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation has a 42.7% (90% CI: 40.4%-45.1%) win rate for white (1.2K Lichess games). Draw rate is 10.1%.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation a good opening?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation is statistically balanced with a 48.8% (90% CI: 48.6%-48.9%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1200-1399 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.