What Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on d4; Black has central pawns on d5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
What White is trying to build
Develop naturally while preserving pressure on d5.
Use cxd5 or e4 only when the resulting centre suits the pieces.
How Black challenges it
Develop the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain when the move order allows.
Prepare …c5 or …e5 to free the position.
The tactical pattern to recognise
The c4 pawn can be taken, but holding it may cost development.
Breaks on c5 and e5 determine whether Black’s position stays cramped.
What to check before committing
Winning c4 and then spending too many tempi defending it.
Closing in the c8 bishop without a route back into the game.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Move orders
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf31.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd31.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 b6 7.b3 Bb7 8.Bd3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Bb2
Related variations
- Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Meran Variation
- Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order
- Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit
- Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Noteboom
- Semi-Slav Defense: Bogoljubow Variation
- Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation
- Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense
- Semi-Slav Defense: Gunderam Gambit
- Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation
- Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit
- Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation
- Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation