Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. Qf3
11… Bb7+0.07
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation (D44), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. Qf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 11… Bb7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.07).
Top engine moves
- +0.0711… Bb7 12. exf6 Qc7 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. O-O-O O-O-O 15. h4 Qa5 16. Qg3
- +0.0811… Qc7 12. exf6 Bb7 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. h4 Qa5 15. Kb1 c5 16. Qf4
- +0.3511… Bh6 12. Bxh6 Rxh6 13. exf6 Nxf6 14. h4 Nd5 15. Qg3 Qf6 16. O-O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. Qf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 11… Bb7 for Black, continuing 12. exf6 Qc7 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. O-O-O O-O-O 15. h4 Qa5 16. Qg3. The position is roughly equal (+0.07). The next best moves are 11… Qc7 (+0.08) and 11… Bh6 (+0.35).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.07: the position is roughly equal. 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, Szabo 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+).