Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. exf6 gxh4 10. Ne5
10… Qxf6−0.71
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation (D44), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. exf6 gxh4 10. Ne5, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… Qxf6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.71).
Top engine moves
- −0.7110… Qxf6 11. a4 a6 12. Be2 Nd7 13. axb5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qxe5 15. bxc6
- 0.0010… Bb4 11. Be2 Nd7 12. O-O Qxf6 13. Bf3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bb7 15. Bxc6
- 0.0010… Rg8 11. Qf3 Bb7 12. O-O-O Nd7 13. Nxb5 cxb5 14. Qxb7 Rb8 15. Qxa7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. exf6 gxh4 10. Ne5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… Qxf6 for Black, continuing 11. a4 a6 12. Be2 Nd7 13. axb5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qxe5 15. bxc6. Black is slightly better (−0.71). The next best moves are 10… Bb4 (0.00) and 10… Rg8 (0.00).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.71: black is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation?
D44. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; D is the volume for closed and semi-closed games.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).