Chess Opening Explorer by ELO
Which openings are actually played — and winning — at your level? Select your rating range to see popularity and win rates for the most common openings, based on millions of online games.
Select your rating range
The London System hits its peak popularity — its simplicity and consistent plans appeal to improving players. The Italian Game remains the top e4 choice.
Italian Game
C50–C54 · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
Classical development targeting f7. Leads to tactical middlegames with clear plans.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
London System
D00 · 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
A universal system playable against almost any Black setup. Low theory, consistent plans.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
Queen's Gambit
D06–D69 · 1.d4 d5 2.c4
The classical approach to d4. Pressures Black's center immediately. Rewards positional understanding.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
Ruy Lopez
C60–C99 · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The king of openings. Deep strategic play with long-term pressure. Rewards study at higher levels.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
Scotch Game
C44–C45 · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Opens the center immediately. Good for players who want active piece play from move 3.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
Vienna Game
C25–C29 · 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
A flexible alternative to the mainline e4 openings. Can transpose to the King's Gambit or Italian.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
English Opening
A10–A39 · 1.c4
A flexible opening that avoids mainline theory. Popular with positional players at higher levels.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
King's Gambit
C30–C39 · 1.e4 e5 2.f4
Romantic-era aggression. Sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attack. High-risk, high-reward.
Popularity at 1200–1400
Win rate at 1200–1400
Playing one of these openings? Analyze your games for free on chess.rodeo — Stockfish will show you exactly where you went wrong (and right) in the opening.
How to Use This Data
Opening popularity and win rates shift dramatically across rating ranges. At lower levels, simple and aggressive openings dominate. As players improve, they gravitate toward classical systems that reward deeper understanding.
Don't just pick the highest win rate. An opening that scores well at 1800+ may not suit your style at 1200. Instead, look at what players at your level and one level above are playing — that's often the best guide.
Want a personalized recommendation? Try our Opening Recommender, read how to choose a chess opening repertoire for the framework, or dig into our guides on the London System, Italian Game, Sicilian Defense, Caro-Kann, or Queen's Gambit Declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this data come from?
The popularity and win rate data is based on millions of online games played on major chess servers, aggregated across rating ranges. While exact percentages vary by time control and platform, the trends are consistent and reliable.
Why do openings have different win rates at different ratings?
Lower-rated players benefit more from aggressive, tactical openings because their opponents are more likely to make mistakes under pressure. Higher-rated players benefit from classical openings that reward positional understanding, because both sides make fewer tactical blunders.
Should I pick the opening with the highest win rate?
Not necessarily. Win rates reflect average results across millions of games, not your personal skill. An opening that matches your style and that you study deeply will outperform a statistically 'better' opening that you play without understanding.
Why is the Sicilian Defense so much more popular at higher ratings?
The Sicilian creates asymmetric positions where Black has real winning chances. At lower levels, the complexity backfires — players lose in complications they can't calculate. At higher levels, players can handle the complexity and benefit from the fighting positions.
What's the best opening for a beginner?
For White, the London System or Italian Game. For Black against 1.e4, the Caro-Kann Defense. Against 1.d4, the Queen's Gambit Declined. These openings teach sound principles without requiring heavy memorization.