Chess Openings·Semi-Slav Defence

Closed Game

Semi-Slav Defence

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A sturdy set-up that waits for the opponent to overreach. Both kings come under fire early, so one slip decides it. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · d5. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
35
Minor pieces out
White 2 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/3p4/2PP4/2N2N2/PP2PPPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  2. 1…d5Black: Pawn d7→d5
  3. 2.c4White: Pawn c2→c4
  4. 2…c6Black: Pawn c7→c6
  5. 3.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  6. 3…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  7. 4.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  8. 4…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6

Nearby lines

first 4 moves shared

Slav Defence…d5 c4 c6Slav Defence, Exchange Variation…cxd5 cxd5Queen's Gambitd4 d5 c4Queen's Gambit, Declined Variation…e6Queen's Gambit, Accepted Variation…dxc4Albin Countergambit…e5

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Semi-Slav Defence?

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Closed Game — 1.d4 d5, queen’s pawns facing each other.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 8 moves it is White to move.