Tree path 8 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Slav Defense › Modern Line › Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation › Semi-Slav Defense › Stoltz Variation, Center Variation › Mikhalchishin Line
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line 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.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. e4 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Qxe4 e5 10. dxe5, after 19 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
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
- 19
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
68 games · White 41.2% / Draw 7.4% / Black 51.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 40 | |
| Nxe5 | 25 | |
| Qe7 | 3 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:24:11
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.