The Semi-Slav Defense reaches a named position after 4 moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6
In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then complete Practice without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.
If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related lines below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.
The idea behind this line
Black combines the Slav pawn support with ...e6, accepting a closed bishop for a very strong center.
What to look for
- Prepare ...dxc4 and ...b5 carefully.
- Free the c8 bishop with ...e5 or ...c5.
- Counter in the center before a kingside attack lands.
Position details
The defining move is e6.
rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/3p4/2PP4/2N2N2/PP2PPPP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 5