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: Stoltz Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Slav Defense D10
- Slav Defense D10
- Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line D45
- Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation D45
- Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation D45 you are here
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D45.
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 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
3 named variations grow from this line, including Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense, Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense, Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation.
In total, the branch covers 6 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
- D45
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 11
- Direct variations
- 3
- Total in subtree
- 6
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
250,873 games · White 50.9% / Draw 7.0% / Black 42.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bd6 | 153,836 | |
| Be7 | 44,059 | |
| Bb4 | 12,507 | |
| b6 | 11,791 | |
| a6 | 11,452 | |
| dxc4 | 9,156 | |
| g6 | 2,015 | |
| h6 | 1,611 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:32:44
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