Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense 9…O-O 10. Qc2
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Statistics from Lichess
10,108 games: White 47.5% / Draw 8.0% / Black 44.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,8417,841 | ||
| 1,4421,442 | ||
| 217217 | ||
| 145145 | ||
| 142142 | ||
| 7676 | ||
| 6262 | ||
| 5050 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 21, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.16 The position is about equal
Best play: 10... Bb7 11. a3 Re8 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. Ng5 h6 14. Nge4 Bb8 15. b4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense (ECO D46, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Slav Defense: Modern Line, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd6 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 (10 moves).
In 10,108 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.5%, Black 44.5% and 8.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…Bb7, in 78% of those games.
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How to answer 10. Qc2
The most played answer, 10…Bb7, also scores best for Black: 49.8%, with Black winning 45.4% and White 45.8% of 7,841 games. Of the main answers, 10…a6 scores lowest: 44.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10…Bb7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense (D46)”. Lichess data as of 21 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-chigorin-defense-7