The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation reaches a named position after 11 moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. Qf3
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
- Use e3 and Bd3 to prepare e4.
- Pressure the queenside before Black frees the center.
- Respect ...dxc4 and ...b5 expansion.
Position details
The defining move is Qf3.
r1bqkb1r/p2n1p2/2p1pn2/1p2P1B1/2pP4/2N2Q2/PP3PPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 2 11