The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Lilienthal Variation reaches a named position after 11 moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. g3
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
This line branches from Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation with hxg5.
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