Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on c6, pawn on e6, queen on f6, pawn on h6, pawn on d5.
Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6. It is classified D43 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Semi-Slav combines the Slav's c6 with the Queen's Gambit Declined's e6, giving Black an extremely solid centre at the cost of once again blocking in the light-squared bishop. It leads to some of the sharpest and most heavily analysed positions in all of chess.
Strategic character
Two main directions define it: the Meran, where Black plays dxc4 and b5 for queenside expansion, and the Botvinnik, an enormously complicated line where both kings come under fire and concrete knowledge matters more than general principles.
Who should play it
Experienced players willing to invest in theory. The Semi-Slav punishes improvisation more than most openings.
This line is a variation within the Semi-Slav Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
The Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6. It is classified D43 in the ECO system. The Semi-Slav combines the Slav's c6 with the Queen's Gambit Declined's e6, giving Black an extremely solid centre at the cost of once again blocking in the light-squared bishop. It leads to some of the sharpest and most heavily analysed positions in all of chess.
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation good for beginners?
Experienced players willing to invest in theory. The Semi-Slav punishes improvisation more than most openings.
What variations come from the Semi-Slav Defense: Moscow Variation?
Named continuations include Semi-Slav Defense: Hastings Variation. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.