Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation 7…O-O 8. Bb2
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Statistics from Lichess
20,371 games: White 48.7% / Draw 7.6% / Black 43.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,4355,435 | ||
| 4,0894,089 | ||
| 4,0594,059 | ||
| 3,3423,342 | ||
| 999999 | ||
| 965965 | ||
| 453453 | ||
| 276276 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.02 The position is about equal
Best play: 8... e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Bd3 Re8 13. Ne2
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. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2 (8 moves).
In 20,371 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.7%, Black 43.7% and 7.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…Re8, in 27% of those games.
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How to answer 8. Bb2
8…e5 scores best for Black: 50.8%, with Black winning 46.7% and White 45.1% of 4,059 games. The most played, 8…Re8, scores 47.3% in 5,435 games, and 8…b6 scores lowest: 46.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8…e5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
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-5