Semi-Slav Defense Accepted
The Semi-Slav Accepted is 5.Bg5 dxc4, where Black takes the c4 pawn as soon as the bishop pins the f6 knight. Black plans to hold that pawn with ...b5, and White now chooses between the sharp e4 push, the a4 lever, or a fianchetto with g3.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4
- ECO
- D44
- Engine
- +0.77 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 164 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 45.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 6.e4 is the most testing: after ...b5, e5 and Bh4 lead to the wild sacrifices of the Botvinnik.
- 6.a4 stops ...b5 from being comfortable; after ...b5 e4 and Be2 rebuild the center and keep pressure.
- 6.g3 and Bg2 aim the bishop at the long diagonal, but the engine shows Black is fine after ...Be7 and ...Nd5.
- Whatever you choose, plan to win c4 back with the f1 bishop or open the center against Black's king.
Black
- Play ...b5 to defend the c4 pawn; it also prepares ...Bb7 for the long diagonal.
- Against e4 and e5, be ready for ...h6 and ...g5, gaining space and keeping the knight's role.
- Against 6.a4, ...b5 again, and ...Qb6 adds a defender while eyeing d4 and the b-file.
- Against 6.g3, use ...Be7 and ...Nd5 to trade the pinning bishop and free your game.
Plans and pawn structure
Black has a pawn on c4 that White wants back, so the queenside majority is the long-term asset. White's compensation is the center: e4 and sometimes e5 and d5 open lines toward Black's king, which often stays in the center. In the e4 lines, Black's kingside pawns charge with ...h6 and ...g5. In the a4 lines, White attacks the b5 pawn and opens the a-file. In the g3 line, play is calmer and Black trades the g5 bishop with ...Nd5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.77: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.77 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5
- +0.15 6.a4 b5 7.e4 Qb6 8.Be2 Nbd7
- −0.18 6.g3 Be7 7.Bg2 Nd5 8.Bxe7 Qxe7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
164 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Botvinnik Variation6.e4 · 181 games
- Botvinnik Variation, Lilienthal Variation6.e4 · rare
How to play against it
With White, 6.e4 is the principled try; prepare to sacrifice and play precisely. If you dislike chaos, 6.a4 is a good practical choice that makes ...b5 harder to support. Avoid slow moves that let Black keep c4 and develop with ...Bb7 and ...Nbd7.
Questions
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense Accepted?
The Semi-Slav Defense Accepted starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4. Its ECO code is D44.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense Accepted good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.77 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. Ideal for well-prepared players on both sides who enjoy sharp, theory-heavy fights; unprepared players should look for quieter lines.
What is the main idea of the Semi-Slav Defense Accepted?
Black wins the c4 pawn and plans to keep it with ...b5. White's answer is the center: e4 and e5 open lines while Black's pieces are still at home.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e4, with a4 and g3 close behind. 6.e4 builds a big center at once and leads into the sharp Botvinnik where both sides take big risks.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.