Tree path 7 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Queen's Gambit Declined › Queen's Knight Variation › Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order › Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit › Main Line
Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Main Line
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Main Line is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO D31 in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
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 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation.
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
- D31
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 11
- Direct variations
- 1
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
72,554 games · White 50.0% / Draw 5.8% / Black 44.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Qxd4 | 60,812 | |
| Bxd2+ | 9,443 | |
| Qa5 | 929 | |
| Be7 | 521 | |
| a5 | 274 | |
| Qe7 | 233 | |
| Ba5 | 100 | |
| Na6 | 84 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:14
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.