Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
44,621 games: White 52.3% / Draw 5.4% / Black 42.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 16,54617K | ||
| 14,43514K | ||
| 5,3315,331 | ||
| 3,1913,191 | ||
| 2,3202,320 | ||
| 976976 | ||
| 474474 | ||
| 287287 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.05 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... h6 8. Bd2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. e4 Be7 12. e5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack (ECO D45, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 (7 moves).
In 44,621 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.3%, Black 42.3% and 5.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…h6, in 37% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack
7…dxc4 scores best for Black: 49.8%, with Black winning 47.3% and White 47.6% of 5,331 games. The most played, 7…h6, scores 46.4% in 17K games, and 7…O-O scores lowest: 42.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 7…h6.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack (D45)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-stoltz-variation-shabalov-attack