Best chess openings by rating
These tables show which openings score the most points on Lichess among players at your level, using games from September 2026. Each table covers one rating band and one color, because what works at 900 doesn't always work at 1500. The Danish Gambit, 1. 2. 3., is third for White at 900–1100 and tops the table at 1300–1500.
Each row shows the average points the opening's players take home, with a draw counting as half a point. Above 50 out of 100, an opening's players outscore their opponents. At 1500–1700, for example, the Danish scores 56 out of 100.
Look at the range next. It's where the true score could sit, given how many games there are. The East Indian at 1500–1700 scores 50 out of 100, but its range runs from 49 to 52, so you can't tell whether it sits above or below 50.
Then count the games. The Scotch, 1. 2. 3., has 208,745 games at 1100–1300. The Tarrasch has only 1,110 at 900–1100. A score built on few games is less reliable, so read both columns.
Lichess games from September 2026 (30,577,162 rated 900 to 1700) and 31,791 over-the-board games rated 2300+ from the last 12 months. Data updated: October 14, 2026.
With White, 900 to 1100
At 900–1100 the three White options are nearly tied. The Rapport-Jobava System and the Scotch both score 55 out of 100, and the Danish Gambit is right behind. Sample size is what separates them: 97,327 games for the Scotch, 24,303 for the Rapport-Jobava, 7,251 for the Danish. If you open 1. and get , choose between the Scotch, 2. 3., or the direct gambit with 2. 3.. If you open 1., the Rapport-Jobava goes 2. 3..
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapport-Jobava System | 55.2%between 54.6% and 55.9% | 24,303 | 0.6% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Scotch Game | 55.1%between 54.8% and 55.5% | 97,327 | 2.5% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Danish Gambit | 54.9%between 53.8% and 56.1% | 7,251 | 0.2% | 1. 2. 3. |
With Black, 900 to 1100
With Black at 900–1100, the East Indian Defense scores 53 out of 100, the Tarrasch 52 and the Sicilian 50. Now look at the game counts. The East Indian has 2,171 and the Tarrasch 1,110. With so few, the Tarrasch's true score could sit anywhere between 49 and 55. The Sicilian, 1. , has 170,663 games, so its number is the most solid in the table. The East Indian (1. 2. ) only comes up when White opens 1. and follows with 2.. The Tarrasch needs 1. 2. 3. before . Against 1., this table's answer is the Sicilian.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Indian Defense | 52.6%between 50.5% and 54.7% | 2,171 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Tarrasch Defense | 52.2%between 49.2% and 55.1% | 1,110 | under 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Sicilian Defense | 50.4%between 50.2% and 50.7% | 170,663 | 4.5% | 1. |
With White, 1100 to 1300
At 1100–1300 the Scotch moves to the top with 55 out of 100 over 208,745 games. The Queen's Gambit, 1. 2., scores the same on 256,249 games, the biggest sample in this band. With that many games, its range barely moves off 55. The Réti Opening also reaches 55, but on just 4,476 games. It starts with 1. and waits for before 2.. All three score about the same, so pick the one that fits the move you already open with.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch Game | 55.4%between 55.1% and 55.6% | 208,745 | 3.0% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Queen's Gambit | 55.1%between 55.0% and 55.3% | 256,249 | 3.7% | 1. 2. |
| Réti Opening | 55.1%between 53.7% and 56.6% | 4,476 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
With Black, 1100 to 1300
With Black at 1100–1300, the East Indian stays on top with 53 out of 100 over 4,307 games. The Lion Defense is just behind on 2,113 games. It goes 1. 2. 3. , so you only get it against 1. when White follows with 2. and 3.. The Sicilian hovers around 50, on 405,432 games. The Lion's range runs from 50 to 55, so it may sit slightly above the Sicilian or level with it.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Indian Defense | 52.7%between 51.2% and 54.2% | 4,307 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Lion Defense | 52.5%between 50.4% and 54.6% | 2,113 | under 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Sicilian Defense | 50.5%between 50.3% and 50.6% | 405,432 | 5.9% | 1. |
With White, 1300 to 1500
At 1300–1500 the Danish Gambit takes the lead: 56 out of 100 over 36,548 games. You reach it with 1. 2. 3.. The Réti scores 55 on 7,620 games. The Catalan, 1. 2. 3., also shows 55, but on only 2,121 games. Its range runs from 53 to 57, so don't pick it for the number alone.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danish Gambit | 55.7%between 55.2% and 56.2% | 36,548 | 0.4% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Réti Opening | 55.4%between 54.3% and 56.5% | 7,620 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Catalan Opening | 55.2%between 53.1% and 57.3% | 2,121 | under 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |
With Black, 1300 to 1500
With Black at 1300–1500, the East Indian leads again with 52 out of 100 over 6,372 games. The Lion Defense also scores 52, on 2,508 games. The Caro-Kann, 1. , sits at 50, and with 529,208 games it's the most solid number in the whole guide. Against 1., the Caro-Kann gives you a near-certain 50. The Lion scores higher, but on so few games its range runs from 49.7 to 53.6, so it could sit below 50. Which matters more is your call.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Indian Defense | 52.4%between 51.2% and 53.6% | 6,372 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Lion Defense | 51.6%between 49.7% and 53.6% | 2,508 | under 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Caro-Kann Defense | 50.3%between 50.1% and 50.4% | 529,208 | 5.5% | 1. |
With White, 1500 to 1700
At 1500–1700 the Danish Gambit keeps climbing: 56 out of 100 over 41,544 games, the highest White score in the guide. The Réti stays at 55 on 11,324 games. The Scotch also scores 55 and is by far the most played, with 277,853 games. If you already open 1. and meet , both are within reach: 2. 3. for the Scotch, or 2. 3. for the Danish.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danish Gambit | 56.3%between 55.8% and 56.7% | 41,544 | 0.4% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Réti Opening | 54.9%between 54.0% and 55.8% | 11,324 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Scotch Game | 54.7%between 54.5% and 54.8% | 277,853 | 2.7% | 1. 2. 3. |
With Black, 1500 to 1700
With Black at 1500–1700, the numbers tighten. The Elephant Gambit, 1. 2. , leads with 51 out of 100 over 35,889 games. The East Indian drops to 50 on 7,770 games, and the Grünfeld, 1. 2. 3. , also shows 50 on 9,397. For both, the range includes scores below 50. Of the three, only the Elephant's range stays entirely above 50, and you need 1. 2. on the board to use it.
| Opening | Score | Games | Share | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Gambit | 51.3%between 50.8% and 51.8% | 35,889 | 0.4% | 1. 2. |
| East Indian Defense | 50.4%between 49.3% and 51.5% | 7,770 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| Grünfeld Defense | 50.4%between 49.4% and 51.4% | 9,397 | 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |