Chess openings by rating

Chess Openings for Players Rated 1400–1599

From 1400 to 1599, 1...c5 takes nearly a fifth of Black's weighted share against 1.e4, and the Sicilian becomes the second-largest destination on the list. Against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 moves into second place for the first time.

1.c4 joins White's choices

The English Opening's 1.c4 enters the top four first moves, replacing 1.e3. Black's 1...e5 still leads against 1.e4, but its share is shrinking as the Sicilian grows.

White's first move

  1. 1. e466%
  2. 1. d423%
  3. 1. c43%
  4. 1. Nf32%

Black against 1.e4

  1. 1... e548%
  2. 1... c519%
  3. 1... e611%
  4. 1... d57%

Black against 1.d4

  1. 1... d552%
  2. 1... Nf615%
  3. 1... e612%
  4. 1... g64%

Where 1400 to 1599 games head

The King's Knight Opening and the Sicilian lead, followed by the Normal Variation of the King's Knight and the French Defense. Indian Defense, with 1.d4 Nf6, enters the top ten.

  1. King's Knight Opening18.8%
  2. Sicilian Defense12.4%
  3. King's Knight Opening: Normal Variation10.5%
  4. French Defense7%
  5. Queen's Gambit5.1%
  6. Philidor Defense5%
  7. Scandinavian Defense4.5%
  8. Bishop's Opening4.3%
  9. Italian Game3.9%
  10. Indian Defense3.5%
  11. French Defense: Normal Variation2.9%
  12. Ruy Lopez2.8%
  13. Horwitz Defense2.7%
  14. King's Gambit2.6%
  15. Caro-Kann Defense2.4%

Lines this band leans toward

The Bowdler Attack (an early Bc4 against the Sicilian), the Owen Defense and the Philidor family score above their averages, as do the Berlin Defense to the Bishop's Opening and the Anti-Fried Liver Defense.

  1. Italian Game: Anti-Fried Liver Defense0.9% here, 0.5% overall
  2. Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack2.4% here, 1.3% overall
  3. Owen Defense1.6% here, 1% overall
  4. Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation0.8% here, 0.5% overall
  5. Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defense1.7% here, 1% overall
  6. Philidor Defense5% here, 3.2% overall

Lines it leans away from

The 1.d4 Nf6 Indian family is still under its average, and so are the Zukertort Opening (1.Nf3) and the Closed Sicilian.

  1. Indian Defense: Knights Variation0.5% here, 1.1% overall
  2. Indian Defense: Normal Variation1.4% here, 3.1% overall
  3. Indian Defense3.5% here, 5.8% overall
  4. Zukertort Opening2.1% here, 3.4% overall
  5. Sicilian Defense: Closed0.6% here, 0.9% overall
  6. Queen's Gambit Declined: Queen's Knight Variation0.5% here, 0.8% overall

Openings by rating

Published by BeaconChess

AI-generated content. Every figure comes from the opening books BeaconChess opponents play from, built from rated Lichess games. Check important lines on the board before relying on them.

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