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Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation

3.3M games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score50.7%Range (90% confident): 50.6% – 50.7%Based on 3.3M games
0%50.7%100%
Range (90% confident): 50.6% – 50.7%
Outcome Distribution
48.6%4.1%47.3%
Win
Draw
Loss
5...a6
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
Analyzen=3.3M
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate4.1%

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 50.7% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 50.6% and 50.7%), based on 3.3M Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

How to Beat This (Move 3)

Best: 3...Nc6 · Black wins: 49.4% · n=1.4M

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 54% → 42%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 54.0% win rate (18,531 games)
  • 1000-1199: 51.1% win rate (74,909 games)
  • 1200-1399: 50.4% win rate (214,758 games)
  • 1400-1599: 49.8% win rate (487,252 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.1% win rate (806,476 games)
  • 1800-1999: 48.4% win rate (916,536 games)
  • 2000-2199: 47.3% win rate (548,195 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.6% win rate (220,940 games)
  • 2500+: 41.8% win rate (30,957 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in UltraBullet (51%), worst in Rapid (48%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 51.3% win rate (1,405 games)
  • Bullet: 49.9% win rate (1,191,052 games)
  • Blitz: 47.9% win rate (1,748,426 games)
  • Rapid: 47.5% win rate (365,618 games)
  • Classical: 48.2% win rate (12,053 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: 52.8% expected score (54 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 55.7% expected score (10,834 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 53.7% expected score (6,419 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 55.5% expected score (1,214 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 41.3% expected score (10 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 44.8% expected score (141 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 52.8% expected score (38,111 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 51.7% expected score (31,318 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 52.6% expected score (5,285 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 57.3% expected score (54 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 55.2% expected score (218 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.7% expected score (88,588 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 51.3% expected score (106,699 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 51.0% expected score (18,950 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 52.0% expected score (303 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 53.9% expected score (387 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 52.4% expected score (171,781 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.8% expected score (262,025 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 51.6% expected score (51,111 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 56.9% expected score (1,948 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 54.1% expected score (279 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 51.8% expected score (248,272 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 50.7% expected score (456,663 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.6% expected score (96,993 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 51.9% expected score (4,269 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 50.3% expected score (202 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 51.4% expected score (277,665 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 50.3% expected score (515,498 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 50.3% expected score (119,224 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 50.7% expected score (3,947 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 49.0% expected score (94 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.9% expected score (208,113 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 49.2% expected score (277,801 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 48.6% expected score (60,869 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 45.7% expected score (1,318 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 45.6% expected score (21 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.8% expected score (123,599 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 47.0% expected score (85,648 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 45.1% expected score (11,497 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 38.1% expected score (175 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 54.8% expected score (9 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 46.6% expected score (24,089 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 45.1% expected score (6,355 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 42.7% expected score (475 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 33.6% expected score (29 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%
Continuations (8)
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Normal Variation
50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation
45.7%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, English Attack
46.8%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Szén Variation
52.3%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, American Attack
45.3%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit
59.0%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line
45.9%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit
42.3%
Analyze Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.3% (90% CI: 47.2%-47.3%) win rate for white, based on 3.3M rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation perform best?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 49.4% win rate for white (31K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (47.5%) outperforms UltraBullet (46.9%) by 0.6%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a sharpness score of 95.9 (very decisive), meaning 95.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 44.1% (90% CI: 43.5%-44.7%) win rate for white, based on 19K Lichess games. Average game length is 25 moves with a 1.9% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 46.2%-46.8%) win rate for white, based on 75K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 2.3% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 46.7% (90% CI: 46.5%-46.9%) win rate for white, based on 215K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 46.8%-47.0%) win rate for white, based on 487K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.1% (90% CI: 47.0%-47.2%) win rate for white, based on 806K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.8% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.1% (90% CI: 47.0%-47.2%) win rate for white, based on 917K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.4% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.8% (90% CI: 47.7%-47.9%) win rate for white, based on 548K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.9% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 48.7% (90% CI: 48.5%-48.9%) win rate for white, based on 221K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 5.7% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 49.4% (90% CI: 48.9%-49.8%) win rate for white, based on 31K Lichess games. Average game length is 42 moves with a 8.9% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 44.7%-49.1%) win rate for white (1.4K Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.8%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.0% (90% CI: 47.0%-47.1%) win rate for white (1.2M Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.1%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.5% (90% CI: 47.4%-47.5%) win rate for white (1.7M Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.6%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 47.1% (90% CI: 47.0%-47.2%) win rate for white (366K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.4%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation has a 45.4% (90% CI: 44.7%-46.2%) win rate for white (12K Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.4%.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation a good opening?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation is statistically balanced with a 47.3% (90% CI: 47.2%-47.3%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2500+ Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.