Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, Belyavsky Line
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Statistics from Lichess
13,968 games: White 50.0% / Draw 3.8% / Black 46.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 10,30710K | ||
| 3,0003,000 | ||
| 526526 | ||
| 4444 | ||
| 2929 | ||
| 2727 | ||
| 1616 | ||
| 66 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.51 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Bd2 a5 7. e3 b5 8. a4 Bd7 9. axb5 cxb5 10. d5 exd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, Belyavsky Line (ECO D31, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg5 f6 (5 moves).
In 13,968 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.0%, Black 46.2% and 3.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bh4, 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: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, Belyavsky Line
The most played answer, 6. Bh4, also scores best for White: 51.8%, with White winning 50.0% and Black 46.3% of 10K games. Of the main answers, 6. Bf4 scores lowest: 51.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Bd2.
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: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, Belyavsky Line (D31)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-noteboom-variation-anti-noteboom-variation-belyavsky-line