D45

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line

Chess diagram: Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line after 10. dxe5

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Statistics from Lichess

68 games: White 41.2% / Draw 7.4% / Black 51.5%

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Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.08 The position is about equal

Best play: 10... O-O 11. Be2 Re8 12. Be3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Bb4 14. Qf4 Nxe5 15. Nxe5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line (ECO D45, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, reached after 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 (10 moves).

In 68 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.2%, Black 51.5% and 7.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…O-O, in 59% of those games. That is too few games for the percentages to mean much.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation, Mikhalchishin Line (D45)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-stoltz-variation-center-variation-mikhalchishin-line