Chess Codex
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: Main Line
  1. Chess Codex
  2. Queen's Pawn Game D00
  3. Queen's Gambit D06
  4. Slav Defense D10
  5. Slav Defense D10
  6. Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line D45
  7. Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation D45
  8. Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line D46 you are here
D46

Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line

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Overview

Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line 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.

Play reaches this position via 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3, after 11 plies of opening development.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.

4 named variations grow from this line, including Semi-Slav Defense: Bogoljubow Variation, Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense, Semi-Slav Defense: Romih Variation, and others.

In total, the branch covers 16 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
D46
Group
Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
Plies
11
Parent
Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation
Direct variations
4
Total in subtree
16

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

618,212 games · White 48.7% / Draw 6.1% / Black 45.2%

MovesGamesW / D / B
dxc4314,990
Bd6133,465
Be775,502
Bb437,119
a615,453
b612,612
h65,557
Qa55,446

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:47

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Variations (4)

Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation:

Show all 16 sub-variations (full subtree)

https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-main-line-2