ECO D31 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6… e5+0.16

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation (D31), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.16).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.166… e5 7. dxe5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Bf5 9. Nf3 Na6 10. Be3 O-O-O+ 11. Kc1
  2. +0.186… c5 7. a3 Ba5 8. Ne2 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Nf6 10. Ng3 Nc6 11. Be3
  3. +0.186… Nf6 7. a3 Ba5 8. Be3 c5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. Qd3 Nxd4 11. Nxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… e5 for Black, continuing 7. dxe5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Bf5 9. Nf3 Na6 10. Be3 O-O-O+ 11. Kc1. The position is roughly equal (+0.16). The next best moves are 6… c5 (+0.18) and 6… Nf6 (+0.18).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.16: 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: Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation?
D31. 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+).