ECO D31 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5

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

9. Ne5+0.19

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

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation (D31), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. Ne5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.199. Ne5 Nf6 10. Ba3 Qc7 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Bh5 g6 13. Bf3 Nbd7
  2. +0.049. Ba3 Bb7 10. Ne5 Nc6 11. Qf3 Qc7 12. Qg3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Ne7
  3. −0.169. Rb1 a6 10. Ne5 Nf6 11. Ba3 Qa5 12. Qc1 Ne4 13. Bb4 Qd8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. Ne5 for White, continuing Nf6 10. Ba3 Qc7 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Bh5 g6 13. Bf3 Nbd7. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 9. Ba3 (+0.04) and 9. Rb1 (−0.16).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.19: 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: Noteboom Variation, Abrahams 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+).