Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation 6…b6 7. b3
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Statistics from Lichess
3,440 games: White 48.5% / Draw 8.5% / Black 43.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,0083,008 | ||
| 131131 | ||
| 9696 | ||
| 8686 | ||
| 6868 | ||
| 2121 | ||
| 1111 | ||
| 77 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.22 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... Bb7 8. Bd3 Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. e4 dxe4 11. Bxe4 Qc7 12. Bb2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (ECO D45, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 b6 7. b3 (7 moves).
In 3,440 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.5%, Black 43.0% and 8.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Bb7, in 87% of those games.
It continues into one named variation. In all, 3 named lines continue from it.
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Variations (1)
All 3 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-stoltz-variation-3