Slav Defense: Soultanbeieff Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
102,146 games: White 54.4% / Draw 5.5% / Black 40.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 36,05436K | ||
| 32,03932K | ||
| 22,29422K | ||
| 6,2216,221 | ||
| 2,6752,675 | ||
| 2,1962,196 | ||
| 248248 | ||
| 154154 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.26 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. e3 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. exd4 Nc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe2 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Slav Defense: Soultanbeieff 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 e6 (5 moves).
In 102,146 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.4%, Black 40.1% and 5.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. e3, in 35% 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: Soultanbeieff Variation
6. e4 scores best for White: 57.8%, with White winning 55.6% and Black 40.1% of 32K games. The most played, 6. e3, scores 57.8% in 36K games, and 6. Ne5 scores lowest: 55.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. e3.
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: Soultanbeieff Variation (D16)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/slav-defense-soultanbeieff-variation