ECO D30 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2

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

5… c5+0.20

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

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation (D30), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… c5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.205… c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 O-O 8. b4 Be7 9. Bb2 a5 10. b5
  2. +0.275… Be7 6. b3 O-O 7. Bb2 b6 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. O-O
  3. +0.295… Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 Bb7 10. Qe2

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… c5 for Black, continuing 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 O-O 8. b4 Be7 9. Bb2 a5 10. b5. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 5… Be7 (+0.27) and 5… Nbd7 (+0.29).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Quiet Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: 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: Quiet Variation?
D30. 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+).