Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
4,212 games: White 53.1% / Draw 7.7% / Black 39.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8631,863 | ||
| 612612 | ||
| 519519 | ||
| 421421 | ||
| 355355 | ||
| 111111 | ||
| 103103 | ||
| 9595 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.04 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... Qe7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. O-O-O Be6 10. e4 dxe4 11. Bc4 Bxc4 12. Qxc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation (ECO D43, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 (7 moves).
In 4,212 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 39.2% and 7.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Nd7, in 44% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation
7…dxc4 scores best for Black: 45.4%, with Black winning 41.5% and White 50.7% of 612 games. The most played, 7…Nd7, scores 43.6% in 1,863 games, and 7…Bd6 scores lowest: 41.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 7…Qe7.
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: Hastings Variation (D43)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-hastings-variation