TrueEloPlay what wins.
Analyzer

Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation

4.4K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score52.1%Range (90% confident): 50.9% – 53.3%Based on 4.4K games
0%52.1%100%
Range (90% confident): 50.9% – 53.3%
Outcome Distribution
48.5%7.2%44.3%
Win
Draw
Loss
5...Na6
Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation
Analyzen=4.4K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness93%
Draw Rate7.2%

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 52.1% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 50.9% and 53.3%), based on 4.4K Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 33% → 46%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 33.3% win rate (6 games)
  • 1000-1199: 39.4% win rate (15 games)
  • 1200-1399: 22.8% win rate (27 games)
  • 1400-1599: 38.3% win rate (39 games)
  • 1600-1799: 45.7% win rate (98 games)
  • 1800-1999: 49.4% win rate (435 games)
  • 2000-2199: 50.4% win rate (1,257 games)
  • 2200-2499: 48.3% win rate (2,261 games)
  • 2500+: 45.8% win rate (281 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Bullet (49%), worst in Classical (20%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • Bullet: 48.8% win rate (858 games)
  • Blitz: 48.8% win rate (3,324 games)
  • Rapid: 43.8% win rate (230 games)
  • Classical: 20.0% win rate (6 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: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 16.7% expected score (3 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 19.3% expected score (5 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 65.8% expected score (8 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 35.7% expected score (9 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 23.9% expected score (10 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 20.6% expected score (7 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 35.7% expected score (9 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 46.1% expected score (24 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 43.3% expected score (6 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 51.2% expected score (39 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 40.9% expected score (48 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 67.4% expected score (10 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 55.9% expected score (143 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (252 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 52.6% expected score (38 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.2% expected score (247 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 55.2% expected score (917 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 51.1% expected score (90 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 16.7% expected score (3 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (257 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 53.0% expected score (1,930 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 45.4% expected score (74 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 52.7% expected score (146 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 46.7% expected score (132 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 27.8% expected score (3 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Slav Defense
50.8%
Variations (5)
Slav Defense: Exchange Variation
50.4%
Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation
51.1%
Slav Defense: Modern Line
51.9%
Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Pin Defense
49.6%
Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack
52.8%
Analyze Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation win rate?

The Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 44.3% (90% CI: 43.1%-45.5%) win rate for white, based on 4.4K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation perform best?

The Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 43.7% win rate for white (2.3K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (47.1%) outperforms Rapid (46.9%) by 0.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation?

The Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a sharpness score of 92.8 (decisive), meaning 92.8% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 45.5% (90% CI: 41.6%-49.4%) win rate for white, based on 435 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 5.2% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 42.8% (90% CI: 40.5%-45.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.3K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 6.8% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 43.7% (90% CI: 42.0%-45.5%) win rate for white, based on 2.3K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 8.0% draw rate.

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 42.0%-51.8%) win rate for white, based on 281 Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 7.3% draw rate.

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 47.1% (90% CI: 44.3%-49.9%) win rate for white (858 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 43.3% (90% CI: 41.9%-44.8%) win rate for white (3.3K Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.8%.

What is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 41.5%-52.3%) win rate for white (230 Lichess games). Draw rate is 9.3%.

Is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation a good opening?

The Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation is slightly favors black with a 44.3% (90% CI: 43.1%-45.5%) 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.