Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
1,171 games: White 39.8% / Draw 5.9% / Black 54.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 866866 | ||
| 289289 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.04 White is better
Best play: 10. Qd6 Nd7 11. Bf3 Qg5 12. Ba3 Qa5+ 13. Kf1 Qb6 14. Qg3 g6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation (ECO D31, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a gambit in the Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Main Line, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 (9 moves).
In 1,171 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 39.8%, Black 54.3% and 5.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Bf3, in 74% 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: Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation
10. Qd6 scores best for White: 45.3%, with White winning 42.6% and Black 51.9% of 289 games. The most played answer, 10. Bf3, scores lowest: 41.8% in 866 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. Qd6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White'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: Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation (D31)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-marshall-gambit-tolush-variation