ECO D45 · Semi-Slav Defense

Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Ne4 6. Bd3 f5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7. Bxe4+0.45

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense (D45), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Ne4 6. Bd3 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bxe4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.45).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.457. Bxe4 dxe4 8. Ne5 Qh4 9. O-O Nd7 10. f4 Be7 11. a4 Nxe5
  2. +0.457. Ne5 Qh4 8. Bxe4 dxe4 9. O-O Nd7 10. f4 Be7 11. a4 Nxe5
  3. +0.297. Ne2 Bd6 8. c5 Bc7 9. b4 Qf6 10. Bb2 Nd7 11. Qc2 g5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense?
After 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Ne4 6. Bd3 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bxe4 for White, continuing dxe4 8. Ne5 Qh4 9. O-O Nd7 10. f4 Be7 11. a4 Nxe5. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 7. Ne5 (+0.45) and 7. Ne2 (+0.29).
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Stonewall Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: white is slightly better. 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: Stonewall Defense?
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+).