ECO D45 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2

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

6… Bd6+0.17

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

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Bd6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.17).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.176… Bd6 7. Bd3 e5 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2
  2. +0.336… h6 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. h3
  3. +0.346… Qc7 7. Bd2 Be7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Rfe1

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 b6 7. b3
  • 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3
  • 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 b6 7. b3 Bb7
  • 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Bd6 for Black, continuing 7. Bd3 e5 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2. The position is roughly equal (+0.17). The next best moves are 6… h6 (+0.33) and 6… Qc7 (+0.34).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.17: 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: Stoltz Variation?
D45. 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+).