Openings for 1000-rated players
This guide uses Lichess games between players rated 900 to 1100. For each opening you see how many games there are and the score for the side that plays it, in points per 100. One table is for White, starting from 1., 1., 1. or 1., and one is for Black.
With White, the ten openings in the table score between 53 and 55 points out of 100. With Black, the East Indian Defense with sits on top at 52.6, but on only 2,171 games. The solid benchmark is the Sicilian: 170,663 games and 50 per 100.
Use the tables to pick something you enjoy playing, not to hunt for a winning opening. The Scotch scores 55.1 per 100 and the Ruy Lopez with 3. scores 53.9. That gap is about 1 point per 100.
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
The Rapport-Jobava System and the Scotch Game lead, both at 55 points per 100. If you play 1. and they answer , the Scotch gives you a clear idea: after 2. , push 3. and open the center right away. It has 97,327 games, so that number is solid. If you play 1. and they answer , you have two options from the table. The Rapport-Jobava goes 2. and, after , 3.. The Queen's Gambit goes 2. and scores almost the same. Its number carries more weight: 120,293 games against 24,303. The Réti Opening has only 2,168 games, so its spot in the table could still move.
| 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. |
| Queen's Gambit | 54.8%between 54.5% and 55.1% | 120,293 | 3.1% | 1. 2. |
| King's Gambit | 54.5%between 54.0% and 55.1% | 31,585 | 0.8% | 1. 2. |
| London System | 54.0%between 53.8% and 54.3% | 147,540 | 3.9% | 1. 2. |
| Ruy Lopez | 53.9%between 53.6% and 54.3% | 77,885 | 2.0% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Réti Opening | 53.8%between 51.7% and 55.8% | 2,168 | 0.1% | 1. 2. |
| King's Knight Opening | 53.7%between 53.2% and 54.2% | 38,162 | 1.0% | 1. 2. |
| Polish Opening | 53.6%between 52.7% and 54.5% | 11,750 | 0.3% | 1. |
With Black
With Black, the table runs from 49 to 53 points per 100. The East Indian and the Tarrasch sit on top, but with 2,171 and 1,110 games their numbers are shaky. The Sicilian, against 1., is the most reliable choice near the top: 170,663 games and 50 points per 100. The Caro-Kann with and the French with sit just below, at 49.8 and 49.3. Against 1., the Indian Defense with scores 49. Only 4 of the ten reach 50 or more per 100.
| 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. |
| Indian Defense | 50.2%between 49.6% and 50.8% | 26,756 | 0.7% | 1. |
| Modern Defense | 50.0%between 49.6% and 50.5% | 48,286 | 1.3% | 1. |
| Caro-Kann Defense | 49.8%between 49.6% and 50.1% | 165,112 | 4.3% | 1. |
| Lion Defense | 49.6%between 47.0% and 52.2% | 1,397 | under 0.1% | 1. 2. 3. |
| Pirc Defense | 49.6%between 49.3% and 50.0% | 74,967 | 2.0% | 1. |
| French Defense | 49.3%between 49.1% and 49.6% | 189,781 | 5.0% | 1. |
| English Defense | 49.0%between 48.1% and 49.8% | 12,318 | 0.3% | 1. |