Semi-Slav Defense: all variations and ECO codes

69 named lines across 9 ECO codes (D30–D49). Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

Black combines the Slav’s c6 with the Queen’s Gambit Declined’s e6, keeping both the option to develop the bishop outside the pawn chain and a genuinely solid center at the same time. That hybrid produces some of the sharpest theoretical battles in mainstream opening theory, especially in the Meran and Botvinnik systems that branch from it.

The main line

Position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 (D43). Open this line on Lichess → · Semi-Slav Defense on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6, playing as black: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

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Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for black
1400-1600128Not enough games at this band yet.
1600-1800299Not enough games at this band yet.
1800-2000502Not enough games at this band yet.
2000+671Not enough games at this band yet.

All 69 named variations

Every named line in the Semi-Slav Defense family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume D: Closed Games and Semi-Closed Games → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

Related

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

18 named lines, ECO D00

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted

22 named lines, ECO D00

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined

9 named lines, ECO D00