Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense 7. Bb2 c6
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Statistics from Lichess
21,351 games: White 56.7% / Draw 5.0% / Black 38.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,19213K | ||
| 5,7875,787 | ||
| 1,5781,578 | ||
| 202202 | ||
| 195195 | ||
| 153153 | ||
| 132132 | ||
| 2828 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.48 White is slightly better
Best play: 8. Nbd2 a5 9. Ne5 a4 10. c4 axb3 11. axb3 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 c5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense (ECO D05, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 Nbd7 7. Bb2 c6 (7 moves).
In 21,351 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 56.7%, Black 38.2% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Nbd2, in 62% of those games.
It continues into one named variation.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7…c6
8. Ne5 scores best for White: 60.9%, with White winning 58.5% and Black 36.7% of 5,787 games. The most played, 8. Nbd2, scores 59.4% in 13K games, and 8. c4 scores lowest: 55.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. Nbd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense (D05)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/rubinstein-opening-semi-slav-defense-2