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Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line

2.9K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score49.7%Range (90% confident): 48.2% – 51.2%Based on 2.9K games
0%49.7%100%
Range (90% confident): 48.2% – 51.2%
Outcome Distribution
45.3%8.7%46.0%
Win
Draw
Loss
11...Re8
Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line
Analyzen=2.9K
Avg Length40 moves
Sharpness91%
Draw Rate8.7%

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 49.7% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 48.2% and 51.2%), based on 2.9K Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Stable across ratings (~43%)

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 42.9% win rate (2 games)
  • 1200-1399: 42.9% win rate (2 games)
  • 1400-1599: 29.4% win rate (7 games)
  • 1600-1799: 43.6% win rate (18 games)
  • 1800-1999: 45.9% win rate (126 games)
  • 2000-2199: 48.2% win rate (487 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.7% win rate (1,677 games)
  • 2500+: 42.1% win rate (625 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Bullet (49%), worst in Classical (39%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 48.5% win rate (676 games)
  • Blitz: 44.4% win rate (2,156 games)
  • Rapid: 42.9% win rate (107 games)
  • Classical: 38.5% win rate (5 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

  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (7 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 59.6% expected score (9 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 48.6% expected score (34 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 47.2% expected score (85 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 67.7% expected score (7 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.9% expected score (69 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 51.8% expected score (395 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (23 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 53.0% expected score (347 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (1,270 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 55.1% expected score (58 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 64.3% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 48.4% expected score (216 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 48.2% expected score (394 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 40.9% expected score (15 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Tarrasch Defense
48.8%
Variations (5)
Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation
48.5%
Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation
49.7%
Tarrasch Defense: Schara Gambit
45.6%
Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation
49.0%
Tarrasch Defense: Dubov Tarrasch
44.6%
Analyze Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate?

The Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 46.0% (90% CI: 44.4%-47.5%) win rate for white, based on 2.9K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line perform best?

The Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 46.1% win rate for white (1.7K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (46.2%) outperforms Rapid (39.2%) by 7.0%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?

The Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a sharpness score of 91.3 (decisive), meaning 91.3% of games end decisively. Average game length is 40 moves.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 48.2% (90% CI: 41.0%-55.5%) win rate for white, based on 126 Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 5.9% draw rate.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 44.5% (90% CI: 40.8%-48.2%) win rate for white, based on 487 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 7.3% draw rate.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 46.1% (90% CI: 44.1%-48.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.7K Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 8.3% draw rate.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 45.9% (90% CI: 42.6%-49.2%) win rate for white, based on 625 Lichess games. Average game length is 44 moves with a 12.1% draw rate.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 46.1% (90% CI: 43.0%-49.3%) win rate for white (676 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.4%.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 46.2% (90% CI: 44.5%-48.0%) win rate for white (2.2K Lichess games). Draw rate is 9.3%.

What is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line has a 39.2% (90% CI: 31.6%-47.0%) win rate for white (107 Lichess games). Draw rate is 18.0%.

Is the Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line a good opening?

The Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line is statistically balanced with a 46.0% (90% CI: 44.4%-47.5%) 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.