Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation 7. b3 Bb7
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Statistics from Lichess
3,330 games: White 48.4% / Draw 8.3% / Black 43.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,4991,499 | ||
| Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense | 1,0141,014 | |
| 717717 | ||
| 4646 | ||
| 1919 | ||
| 1414 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.23 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Bd3 Bb4 9. O-O Rc8 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 c5 12. Rd1 O-O
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 Bb7 (7 moves).
In 3,330 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.4%, Black 43.4% and 8.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Bb2, in 45% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense. In all, 2 named lines continue from it.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7…Bb7
8. Bd3 (Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense) scores best for White: 53.6%, with White winning 49.6% and Black 42.5% of 1,014 games. The most played answer, 8. Bb2, scores lowest: 52.4% in 1,499 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Bd3.
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
Variations (1)
All 2 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-stoltz-variation-4