Tree path 8 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Slav Defense › Modern Line › Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation › Semi-Slav Defense › Semi-Slav Defense Accepted › Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Slav Defense D10
- Modern Line D11
- Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation D15
- Semi-Slav Defense D43
- Semi-Slav Defense Accepted D44
- Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation D44 you are here
Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D44.
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 is reached after 11 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense Accepted, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
2 named variations grow from this line, including Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation.
In total, the branch covers 3 sub-variations across all depths.
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
- D44
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 11
- Parent
- Semi-Slav Defense Accepted
- Direct variations
- 2
- Total in subtree
- 3
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
249,742 games · White 47.6% / Draw 4.8% / Black 47.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| b5 | 198,884 | |
| Be7 | 33,184 | |
| h6 | 11,530 | |
| Bb4 | 2,486 | |
| Qa5 | 1,635 | |
| Nbd7 | 935 | |
| Qb6 | 546 | |
| b6 | 188 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:37
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