Tree path 8 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Zukertort Variation › Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation › Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System › Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System › Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System › Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense › Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Zukertort Variation D02
- Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation D02
- Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System D04
- Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System D05
- Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System D05
- Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense D05
- Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense D05 you are here
Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense
Overview
Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D05.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
It begins with 14 plies and takes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 Nbd7 7. Bb2 c6 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Rubinstein Opening: Semi-Slav Defense.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D05
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 14
- Direct variations
- 1
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
21,351 games · White 56.7% / Draw 5.0% / Black 38.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nbd2 | 13,192 | |
| Ne5 | 5,787 | |
| c4 | 1,578 | |
| h3 | 202 | |
| Re1 | 195 | |
| a3 | 153 | |
| Qe2 | 132 | |
| Nc3 | 28 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:59:25
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