Semi-Slav Defense
ECO D43 · 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6
The Semi-Slav combines ...c6 and ...e6 against the Queen's Gambit, usually after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6. It is extremely solid on the surface and extremely sharp underneath.
Plans for White
White can play the quiet 5.e3, leading to the Meran with ...dxc4 and ...b5, or the sharp 5.Bg5, which invites the Botvinnik (5...dxc4) and Moscow (5...h6) Variations with enormous complications. Anti-Meran lines with Qc2 are a popular middle way.
Plans for Black
Black aims to take on c4 and expand with ...b5, ...a6 and ...c5, opening lines on the queenside and in the center, or to keep the triangle intact and break with ...e5. The c8 bishop usually goes to b7 after ...b5.
Typical pawn structures
A triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6; after ...dxc4 and ...b5 Black gets a queenside majority while White has central pawns on d4 and e4.
Who it suits
Players who want a solid base but are ready for very concrete, theoretical fights.
Common traps
In the Botvinnik and Anti-Moscow lines, both sides sacrifice material; going in without knowledge often loses quickly.
Variations
- Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5
- Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4
- Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4
- Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4
- Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2
- Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Noteboom, Stonewall Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 f5
- Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6
- Semi-Slav Defense: Gunderam Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. f3
- Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3
- Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2
- Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Meran Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6
- Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7
- Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4
- Semi-Slav Defense: Rubinstein System — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Ne5
- Semi-Slav Defense: Bogoljubow Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7
- Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bd6
- Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6
- Semi-Slav Defense: Romih Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bb4
- Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense — 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Ne4 6. Bd3 f5
- Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3
- Semi-Slav Defense: Semi-Meran Variation — 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4