Semi-Slav Defense: Romih Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
74,223 games: White 55.0% / Draw 4.7% / Black 40.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 55,85556K | ||
| 5,8855,885 | ||
| 4,8894,889 | ||
| 3,9983,998 | ||
| 1,5531,553 | ||
| 739739 | ||
| 370370 | ||
| 233233 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.43 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. a4 e5 11. Be2 e4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Romih Variation (ECO D46, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bb4 (6 moves).
In 74,223 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.0%, Black 40.4% and 4.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. O-O, in 75% 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: Romih Variation
The most played answer, 7. O-O, also scores best for White: 58.2%, with White winning 55.8% and Black 39.5% of 56K games. Of the main answers, 7. Bd2 scores lowest: 53.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. a3.
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: Romih Variation (D46)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-romih-variation