Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation
The Normal Variation of the Semi-Slav is 5.Nf3 Nbd7, with Black's queen's knight going to d7 to support both ...e5 and ...dxc4 with ...b5. White now picks a sixth move: the flexible Qc2, the solid Be2, the waiting h3, or Bd3 which leads to the Meran and Chigorin.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7
- ECO
- D45
- Engine
- +0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 382 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 6.Qc2 is the engine's first choice: it covers e4 and delays Bd3 so Black has no tempo with ...dxc4.
- 6.Be2 keeps things quiet; after castling, b3 and Bb2 make a solid queenside setup.
- 6.h3 waits and takes g4 from Black's pieces, so ...dxc4 Bxc4 b5 comes without gaining a full tempo.
- Bd3 invites ...dxc4 and the Meran, or ...Bd6 and the Chigorin setup, both covered on their own pages.
Black
- Against Qc2, ...Bd6, castling and ...e5 is the standard path to free the game.
- Against Be2, ...Bd6 and ...b6 with ...Bb7 is a sturdy setup, as shown in the engine line.
- Against h3 or Bd3, take on c4 after White's bishop moves, then gain time with ...b5.
- Keep the knight on d7 ready to support ...e5 or ...c5, depending on White's setup.
Plans and pawn structure
White decides how to handle the c4 tension. Qc2 and Be2 setups avoid giving Black a free tempo with ...dxc4 and ...b5, and White prepares e4 slowly. Bd3 lines allow the Meran, where Black takes on c4 and expands with ...b5 and ...c5. Black usually castles short and either breaks with ...e5 after ...Bd6 or uses the queenside expansion. The d7 knight supports both breaks, so Black stays flexible.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.16: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.16 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O h6
- +0.11 6.Be2 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.b3 b6
- +0.06 6.h3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O dxc4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
382 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Chigorin Defense6.Bd3 · 289 games
- Stoltz Variation6.Qc2 · rare
- Meran Variation, Stahlberg Variation6.Bd3 · rare
How to play against it
With Black, answer 6.Qc2 with ...Bd6, castle, and then break with ...e5 before White plays e4. Against Bd3, take on c4 and play ...b5 with gain of time. With White, choose your sixth move by style: Qc2 for a slower strategic fight, Bd3 for the sharper Meran and Chigorin positions.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 e6 5.b3 Bd6 6.Bb2 O-O 7.d4 Nbd7; 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.b3 Bd6 7.Bb2 O-O 8.Be2.
Questions
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation?
The Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7. Its ECO code is D45.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 382 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.5%. A solid, flexible choice for Black that works well for players who know the Meran ideas; White has several calm ways to keep a slight edge.
What is the main idea of the Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation?
Black puts the knight on d7 to back up both main breaks, ...e5 and ...c5 after ...dxc4 and ...b5. White chooses between Qc2, Be2, h3 and Bd3, each changing how the c4 tension is resolved.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Qc2, with Be2 and h3 close behind. 6.Qc2 covers e4 and avoids giving Black a free tempo with ...dxc4 against a bishop on d3.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.