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Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense

853 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score45.8%Range (90% confident): 43.0% – 48.6%Based on 853 games
0%45.8%100%
Range (90% confident): 43.0% – 48.6%
Outcome Distribution
43.2%5.1%51.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
5...Qd7
Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense
Analyzen=853
Avg Length36 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate5.1%

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 45.8% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 43.0% and 48.6%), based on 853 Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 37%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1000-1199: 45.9% win rate (17 games)
  • 1200-1399: 36.5% win rate (30 games)
  • 1400-1599: 39.8% win rate (50 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.1% win rate (79 games)
  • 1800-1999: 39.9% win rate (155 games)
  • 2000-2199: 48.3% win rate (194 games)
  • 2200-2499: 41.8% win rate (289 games)
  • 2500+: 36.7% win rate (38 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Rapid (59%), worst in Classical (14%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 40.5% win rate (207 games)
  • Blitz: 42.9% win rate (590 games)
  • Rapid: 58.6% win rate (54 games)
  • Classical: 14.3% win rate (2 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, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 46.0% expected score (11 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 39.2% expected score (17 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 55.9% expected score (7 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 40.7% expected score (20 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 41.2% expected score (27 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 72.3% expected score (3 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 44.9% expected score (18 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 43.7% expected score (38 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 70.4% expected score (23 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 36.5% expected score (43 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 45.3% expected score (104 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 44.2% expected score (7 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 53.5% expected score (56 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 48.9% expected score (130 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 55.3% expected score (8 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 36.1% expected score (45 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 46.3% expected score (241 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (15 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 33.0% expected score (22 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Sicilian Defense
48.5%
Variations (5)
Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Closed
49.8%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
50.2%
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack
48.6%
Analyze Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate?

The Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 51.7% (90% CI: 48.9%-54.5%) win rate for white, based on 853 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense perform best?

The Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense performs best at 1800-1999 Elo with a 55.3% win rate for white (155 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (55.4%) outperforms Rapid (33.3%) by 22.1%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense?

The Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a sharpness score of 94.9 (decisive), meaning 94.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 36 moves.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 55.3% (90% CI: 48.7%-61.8%) win rate for white, based on 155 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.8% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 47.3% (90% CI: 41.5%-53.2%) win rate for white, based on 194 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.3% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 52.5% (90% CI: 47.7%-57.3%) win rate for white, based on 289 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 5.7% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 55.4% (90% CI: 49.7%-61.0%) win rate for white (207 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense has a 52.0% (90% CI: 48.6%-55.4%) win rate for white (590 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.2%.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense a good opening?

The Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense is statistically balanced with a 51.7% (90% CI: 48.9%-54.5%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1800-1999 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.