for Black · advanced
Semi-Slav Defense
8/8
1.d4d52.c4c63.Nf3Nf64.Nc3e6
Black combines ...c6 and ...e6 for a super-solid pawn triangle, then fights for the initiative with the thematic ...c5 and ...e5 breaks. It leads to some of the richest and sharpest theory in all of chess.
Key ideas
- Build the ...c6/...e6/...d5 triangle for maximum solidity
- Grab a pawn and hold it in the sharp Botvinnik and Moscow lines
- Free the position with the ...c5 or ...e5 pawn breaks
- Accept complex, double-edged play for full counterchances
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Semi-Slav Defense7.2M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
55%4.0M54%
9.2%662k54%
6.3%451k53%
5.6%399k57%
1.4%97k50%
1.2%90k55%
0.7%49k51%
0.6%45k52%
0.4%25k53%
Famous games in this line55k master games
Carlsen, M. (2882) – Ding Liren (2805)Carlsen, M. (2876) – Topalov, V. (2798)Ding Liren (2799) – Carlsen, M. (2864)Ding, Liren (2791) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Carlsen, Magnus (2863) – Ding, Liren (2791)Carlsen, Magnus (2863) – Ding, Liren (2791)Giri, A. (2776) – Carlsen, M. (2870)Carlsen, M. (2881) – Mamedyarov, S. (2760)Heroes of this opening Carlsen, Magnus · Topalov, V.
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Semi-Slav Defense Accepted5.Bg5 dxc4 · 3 deeper linesSemi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 · 2 deeper linesSemi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 · 1 deeper line
Nearby lines in the family
Study this opening