Tree path 7 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Slav Defense › Slav Defense › Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line › Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation › Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Slav Defense D10
- Slav Defense D10
- Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line D45
- Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation D45
- Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense D46 you are here
Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D46.
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 15 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. b3 Bd6 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Bd3.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
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
- D46
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 15
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
29,035 games · White 47.3% / Draw 6.8% / Black 45.8%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Re8 | 9,616 | |
| e5 | 4,673 | |
| b6 | 3,791 | |
| Qe7 | 3,780 | |
| dxc4 | 2,910 | |
| h6 | 1,357 | |
| a6 | 1,290 | |
| Qc7 | 433 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:07:29
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