Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
15,370 games: White 41.9% / Draw 7.0% / Black 51.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,6486,648 | ||
| 5,7635,763 | ||
| 1,5541,554 | ||
| 740740 | ||
| 313313 | ||
| 301301 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1717 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.82 White is better
Best play: 6. e4 Bg4 7. Bxc4 Bxf3 8. gxf3 e6 9. O-O Nb4 10. Kh1 a5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation (ECO D16, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Slav Defense: Alapin Variation, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Na6 (5 moves).
In 15,370 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.9%, Black 51.1% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. e4, in 43% 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 Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation
The most played answer, 6. e4, also scores best for White: 47.2%, with White winning 43.8% and Black 49.5% of 6,648 games. Of the main answers, 6. Ne5 scores lowest: 43.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. e4.
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. “Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation (D16)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/slav-defense-smyslov-variation