Semi-Slav Defense

ECO D43-D49intermediate

The Semi-Slav — 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 — builds an unbreakable d5 strongpoint, then detonates it: the ...dxc4 and ...b5 Meran expansion and the legendary Botvinnik System (5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5) produce some of the most analyzed, double-edged positions in all of chess. It is the rare defense that is simultaneously rock-solid and a genuine winning attempt, which is why it has anchored world championship repertoires from Botvinnik to Kramnik.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

White advances the pawn to d4, staking a claim right in the center and opening paths for the queen and bishop to join the game.
Black answers with d5, matching White in the center. Both sides have a pawn on the fourth rank, and the battle for the middle of the board begins.
White pushes the pawn to c4, attacking Black's d5 pawn and grabbing even more space in the center. This is the start of the Queen's Gambit.
Black plays c6, a solid move that supports the d5 pawn. This sets up the Semi-Slav Defense, keeping the center well protected.
The knight jumps to f3, a strong square near the center. It controls key squares and helps White develop pieces quickly toward the middle of the board.
Black brings the knight out to f6, a great central square. It guards against White's pieces and prepares to join the fight for the center.
White develops the knight to c3, putting more pressure on the center. Now two white knights work together to control important squares.
Black advances the pawn to e6, giving the dark-squared bishop room to come out later. This pawn also helps hold the center firmly in place.
White steps the pawn to e3, opening the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop. The pawn chain becomes very solid and hard for Black to break down.
Black develops the knight to d7 from b8, keeping the c6 pawn covered and getting another piece active. It points toward useful squares in the center.
White moves the queen to c2, getting it off the back rank and pointing it toward the kingside. The queen supports future pawn advances and watches the e4 square.
Black develops the bishop to d6, a strong central square where it eyes the kingside. From here it can help Black plan an attack later in the game.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	66	54.5%	0%	45.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
600-800	141	48.2%	1.4%	50.4%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7
800-1000	1,102	53.4%	2.5%	44.1%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7
1000-1200	308	53.6%	1.6%	44.8%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7
1200-1400	106	49.1%	7.5%	43.4%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6
1400-1600	332	50%	4.8%	45.2%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6
1600-1800	106	50.9%	6.6%	42.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6
1800-2000	250	47.2%	3.6%	49.2%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6
2000-2200	641	50.1%	7.6%	42.3%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6
2200-2400	834	50%	6.1%	43.9%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6

Most played continuations (800-1000 rating)

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7:

Bd3 — played 30.6% of the time (White wins 51.9%, draws 2.7%, Black wins 45.4%)
Be2 — played 18.7% of the time (White wins 57.3%, draws 3.4%, Black wins 39.3%)
cxd5 — played 12.8% of the time (White wins 50.4%, draws 0.7%, Black wins 48.9%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

Is the Botvinnik System still playable for amateurs?

It is the sharpest mainstream opening in chess — material imbalances, opposite-side pawn races, and 25 moves of known theory. Amateurs can absolutely play it, but should expect to lose some games to preparation while learning. The Moscow (5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6) and Anti-Meran (5.e3) are calmer entry points.

What is the idea of the Meran Variation?

After 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5, Black grabs queenside space with tempo on the bishop and prepares ...a6 and ...c5, hitting the center from the wing. The play is thematic: Black's queenside pawn storm and c5-break race against White's central e4-e5 expansion.