ECO D43 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6

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

7. e3+0.22

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

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation (D43), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. e3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.22).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.227. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. a4 O-O
  2. +0.157. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 Nd7 9. Rd1 Be7 10. e3 O-O 11. Bd3 e5
  3. 0.007. Qc2 dxc4 8. e3 b5 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Nxb5 Bb4+

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. e3 for White, continuing Nd7 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. a4 O-O. The position is roughly equal (+0.22). The next best moves are 7. Qb3 (+0.15) and 7. Qc2 (0.00).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.22: 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: Moscow Variation?
D43. 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+).