Chess opening · ECO D43
Semi-Slav Defense
Two defensive ideas combine in the Semi-Slav. Black supports d5 with c6, as in the Slav, and with e6, as in the Queen's Gambit Declined. The resulting triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6 is very hard to break, but it shuts the c8 bishop in. Black often grabs the c4 pawn at the right moment and backs it with ...b5, which leads to some of the sharpest positions after 1.d4.
- Rank by weighted share
- #150 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6
- 2... c6The c-pawn supports d5 without blocking the c8 bishop. Until ...e6 arrives, Black could still develop that bishop to f5 or g4 before closing the diagonal.
- 4... e6This completes the triangle on c6, d5 and e6. Black chooses rock-hard central support over activity for the c8 bishop, which will usually come out later via b7 after ...b5.
The Meran idea after e3
e3 protects c4 indirectly by opening the f1 bishop, but it also closes in the c1 bishop. Black typically answers with ...Nbd7, waits for Bd3, and only then takes on c4, so the white bishop has spent two moves to reach a square it must leave again.
After ...b5 the c8 bishop finds a home on b7, and Black follows with ...a6 and ...c5 to break up White's center.
Sharp play after Bg5
Bg5 pins the f6 knight and asks Black to commit. With ...h6 Black puts the question to the bishop at once. With ...dxc4 Black takes the pawn and, after e4, defends it with ...b5, leading to positions where both sides have targets and the kings are often not safe for long.
Into the Meran
5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7
Black gains time by hitting the c4 bishop with the b-pawn, then places the light-squared bishop on the long diagonal. The next steps are often ...a6 and ...c5, while White prepares e4 to claim the center.
Top replies by rating
Bg5 leads every band by a wide margin, with e3 a steady second. At 2000 and up, cxd5 replaces Bf4 in third place.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | Bg5 51% | e3 35% | Bf4 14% |
| 1400–1599 | Bg5 50% | e3 24% | Bf4 12% |
| 1600–1799 | Bg5 53% | e3 25% | Bf4 10% |
| 1800–1999 | Bg5 51% | e3 29% | Bf4 9% |
| 2000 and up | Bg5 49% | e3 27% | cxd5 8% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.