Tree path 5 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Queen's Gambit › Slav Defense › Modern Line › Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game D00
- Queen's Gambit D06
- Slav Defense D10
- Modern Line D11
- Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation D15 you are here
Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation
Overview
Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation is a specific line in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games family (ECO D15), arising from a recognised theoretical position.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
The line arises from 7 plies — specifically the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3.
The line refines Slav Defense: Modern Line, which traces back to the root opening Queen's Pawn Game.
The line splits into 5 documented sub-systems: Semi-Slav Defense, Slav Defense: Chebanenko Variation, Slav Defense: Schlechter Variation, and others.
Counted recursively, this branch covers 47 sub-variations at all depths.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- D15
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 7
- Parent
- Slav Defense: Modern Line
- Direct variations
- 5
- Total in subtree
- 47
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
11,877,336 games · White 50.6% / Draw 5.9% / Black 43.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 3,936,690 | |
| Bf5 | 2,368,631 | |
| Bg4 | 1,796,681 | |
| dxc4 | 1,565,430 | |
| g6 | 922,972 | |
| a6 | 802,910 | |
| Nbd7 | 206,693 | |
| h6 | 148,370 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:42:23
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Variations (5)
Show all 47 sub-variations (full subtree)
- D43 Semi-Slav Defense 8-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Chebanenko Variation 8-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Schlechter Variation 8-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Süchting Variation 8-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Two Knights Attack 8-ply
- D52 Queen's Gambit Declined 11-ply
- D44 Semi-Slav Defense Accepted 10-ply
- D43 Anti-Moscow Gambit 11-ply
- D47 Meran Variation, Lundin Variation 16-ply
- D48 Meran Variation, Reynolds' Variation 19-ply
- D49 Meran Variation, Sozin Variation 22-ply
- D43 Moscow Variation 12-ply
- D45 Stoltz Variation, Center Variation 13-ply
- D45 Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack 13-ply
- D16 Slav Defense: Alapin Variation 9-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation 9-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Chebanenko Variation 10-ply
- D15 Advance System 9-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Geller Gambit 9-ply
- D52 Cambridge Springs Defense 12-ply
- D44 Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation 11-ply
- D43 Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation 13-ply
- D45 Mikhalchishin Line 19-ply
- D17 Slav Defense: Czech Variation 10-ply
- D15 Slav Defense: Geller Gambit 11-ply
- D16 Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation 10-ply
- D16 Slav Defense: Soultanbeieff Variation 10-ply
- D16 Slav Defense: Steiner Variation 10-ply
- D52 Queen's Gambit Declined: Cambridge Springs Defense 13-ply
- D52 Bogoljubow Variation 15-ply
- D52 Rubinstein Variation 14-ply
- D44 Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation 17-ply
- D44 Ekstrom Variation 19-ply
- D17 Bled Attack 11-ply
- D18 Classical System 11-ply
- D17 Krause Attack 11-ply
- D52 Yugoslav Variation 14-ply
- D44 Lilienthal Variation 21-ply
- D17 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation 16-ply
- D19 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch Variation 15-ply
- D17 Fazekas Gambit 13-ply
- D18 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Lasker Variation 12-ply
- D17 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Wiesbaden Variation 12-ply
- D17 Morozevich Variation 22-ply
- D19 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Classical System, Main Line 17-ply
- D17 Sharp Line 15-ply
- D19 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch Variation, Sämisch Variation 19-ply