Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation
The Noteboom Variation is 4.Nf3 dxc4 against the Semi-Slav triangle, where Black grabs c4 before playing ...Nf6. Black intends to hold the pawn with ...b5, ...Bb4 and ...a5, building connected queenside pawns, while White uses e3, a4 and the dark squares for compensation.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 dxc4
- ECO
- D31
- Engine
- +0.39 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 690 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.e3 prepares Bxc4; after ...b5, a4 hits the chain and Bd2 meets ...Bb4.
- 5.a4 stops ...b5 from being simple and keeps the option of e3 next.
- 5.g3 offers a quieter game: Bg2 and O-O with e4 later aim at the c6 pawn and the long diagonal.
- If Black trades the b4 bishop for the c3 knight, your bishop pair and dark squares give long-term pressure.
Black
- Keep the c4 pawn with ...b5, then support it with ...a5 and ...Bb4.
- Trade the b4 bishop for the c3 knight when it helps keep your queenside pawns.
- Develop the g8 knight to f6 after the pawn structure is settled.
- Your queenside pawns can run in the endgame, so trades often help Black.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's goal is to keep the extra pawn on c4 and use the queenside majority later. White's play is in the center and on the dark squares: after Black trades the dark-squared bishop for a knight, White's bishop on c3 or b2 can be very strong along the long diagonal toward g7. White also uses e4, d5 or a4 levers to break up Black's pawns. If Black consolidates, the queenside pawns win the ending; if not, White's central and kingside play wins first.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.39: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.39 5.e3 b5 6.a4 Bb4 7.Bd2 a5
- +0.36 5.a4 Bb4 6.e3 b5 7.Bd2 Bxc3
- +0.08 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2 Nbd7 7.O-O b5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
690 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit5.g3 · rare
- Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Variation, Belyavsky Line5.Bg5 · rare
- Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation5.a4 · rare
- Semi-Slav, Koomen Variation5.e3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, play 5.e3 or 5.a4 and keep the pressure on Black's queenside pawns. Know that Black often trades the b4 bishop for your knight. With Black, keep the pawn but do not neglect development; ...Nf6 and castling must come soon.
Questions
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation?
The Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 dxc4. Its ECO code is D31.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.39 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 690 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.9%. A sharp choice for well-prepared Black players who like material and endgame trumps; White needs patience and a good grasp of dark-square play.
What is the main idea of the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation?
Black takes c4 and holds it with ...b5, ...a5 and ...Bb4, creating connected queenside pawns. White fights back with central pawns and a strong dark-squared bishop.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e3, with a4 and g3 close behind. 5.e3 prepares to recapture on c4 with the bishop and meets ...b5 with a4.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.