Bullet is not Rapid. This page shows which openings swing most across time controls, ranked by conservative win-loss edge (not engine theory).
Source Lichess·Games 2.1B·Range 2023-12 to 2025-11·Updated January 2026
Conservative edge = win.p5 - loss.p95 (percentage points). Positive means the opening is conservatively more likely to win than lose.
Some openings are time-control weapons.
A line that crushes in bullet can be mediocre in rapid (and vice versa). Filter by time control and rating to find what fits your speed.
Openings that swing the most across time controls - pick your weapon based on the clock.
| Opening | Best TC | Swing | |
|---|---|---|---|
UltraBullet+0.1% · 1.3K | +63.4%+63.4% | ||
UltraBullet-2.2% · 3.1K | +61.4%+61.4% | ||
UltraBullet-16.6% · 647 | +58.0%+58.0% | ||
Rapid+5.3% · 360 | +48.1%+48.1% | ||
Bullet-23.0% · 4.4K | +46.5%+46.5% | ||
UltraBullet+4.9% · 7.1K | +46.3%+46.3% | ||
UltraBullet-10.7% · 484 | +44.7%+44.7% | ||
Rapid+59.1% · 922 | +43.7%+43.7% | ||
UltraBullet-2.6% · 440 | +43.6%+43.6% | ||
Classical+51.7% · 276 | +43.3%+43.3% | ||
UltraBullet+17.9% · 314 | +43.3%+43.3% | ||
UltraBullet+3.9% · 1.2K | +42.3%+42.3% | ||
UltraBullet+6.1% · 3.8K | +42.0%+42.0% | ||
Bullet-1.6% · 732 | +40.8%+40.8% | ||
Rapid+41.4% · 200 | +40.4%+40.4% | ||
Classical+38.5% · 477 | +26.0%+26.0% | ||
Blitz+4.4% · 1.6K | +11.6%+11.6% | ||
Blitz-18.5% · 1.5K | +10.3%+10.3% | ||
Bullet+15.0% · 18K | +5.2%+5.2% | ||
Bullet+4.7% · 6.7K | +4.7%+4.7% |
Openings that perform similarly regardless of time control - reliable all-rounders.
| Opening | Best TC | Swing | |
|---|---|---|---|
Bullet+6.1% · 897 | +1.4%+1.4% | ||
Blitz+99.4% · 825 | +1.4%+1.4% | ||
Blitz-5.6% · 237 | +2.2%+2.2% | ||
Blitz+5.7% · 2.6K | +2.4%+2.4% | ||
Blitz-1.5% · 1.0K | +3.0%+3.0% | ||
Rapid+5.8% · 67K | +3.4%+3.4% | ||
Blitz+10.5% · 1.5K | +3.7%+3.7% | ||
Blitz+8.5% · 3.4K | +3.9%+3.9% | ||
Blitz-7.0% · 1.2K | +4.3%+4.3% | ||
Bullet-7.7% · 810 | +4.4%+4.4% | ||
Blitz+9.8% · 1.5K | +4.8%+4.8% | ||
Blitz-1.7% · 682 | +6.1%+6.1% | ||
Blitz-11.6% · 683 | +6.2%+6.2% | ||
Blitz+6.4% · 914 | +6.4%+6.4% |
Pro tip: High-swing openings are time-control weapons. Use them when the clock favors your style. Consistent openings are safer for all-around play.
Openings change with the clock. TrueElo compares openings across time controls and ranks them by how much their conservative win-loss edge changes (edge.p5 = win.p5 - loss.p95), based on 2.1B rated Lichess games (2023-12 to 2025-11). Rankings are computed separately for playing White vs playing Black.
Yes, significantly. Analysis of 2.1B rated Lichess games shows some openings swing up to 32.7 percentage points in win rate between time controls. "Ware Opening: Meadow Hay Trap" shows the largest difference: 32.7% between UltraBullet and Classical.
The "Most Affected" list shows 20 openings with the biggest win rate drops in fast time controls. These openings average 24.3% swing between their best and worst time controls. Avoid openings that require precise technique or long calculations-check each opening's best time control in the table to see if bullet suits it.
Check the "Most Affected" list filtered by blitz to find openings that excel at 3-5 minute games. Of the 20 most affected openings, several perform significantly better in blitz. Look for openings where blitz is listed as "Best TC"-these are time-control weapons that outperform their rapid results because opponents make more mistakes under time pressure.
The 20 "Most Affected" openings have an average win rate swing of 24.3% between time controls. Openings fail in bullet/blitz when they require precise calculation or endgame technique. "Ware Opening: Meadow Hay Trap" exemplifies this-it performs 32.7% better in UltraBullet than Classical.
Yes, if you want to maximize wins. The "Most Affected" openings average 24.3% win rate difference between time controls-that's 24.3 more wins per 100 games by choosing the right format. Check each opening's "Best TC" before using your rapid weapon in bullet.
The "Most Consistent" section shows 20 openings with minimal win rate variation. "Bishop's Opening: Lopez Gambit" is the most consistent with only 0.0% variance across time controls. These 20 openings average just 0.3% swing-safe choices if you play multiple formats and want one repertoire.
Many gambits appear in the "Most Affected" list, indicating significant time-control sensitivity. Check specific gambits in the table to see their time-control data. Some gambits perform better in bullet (opponents lack time for defenses), but others require precise follow-up that's hard to execute quickly. The data shows each gambit's best time control-don't assume.
The most time-sensitive openings can swing 32.7 percentage points between time controls. The 20 "Most Affected" openings average 24.3% variance. Even a 24% swing means winning 24 more games per 100 by choosing the right format for your opening.