Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
19,898 games: White 47.2% / Draw 5.8% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,27512K | ||
| 2,8292,829 | ||
| 1,5301,530 | ||
| 1,2231,223 | ||
| 617617 | ||
| 406406 | ||
| 222222 | ||
| 116116 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.54 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. Ne5 Qh4 8. O-O Nd7 9. Qc2 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Bd7 11. a3 Qd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense (ECO D45, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Ne4 6. Bd3 f5 (6 moves).
In 19,898 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.2%, Black 46.9% and 5.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. O-O, in 62% 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: Stonewall Defense
7. Ne5 scores best for White: 53.8%, with White winning 50.9% and Black 43.3% of 2,829 games. The most played, 7. O-O, scores 50.6% in 12K games, and 7. Qc2 scores lowest: 46.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Ne5.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense (D45)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-stonewall-defense