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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 · ECO D45
Semi-Slav Defense: Normal Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7. It is classified D45 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.
This position can also be reached by 2 other move orders, including 1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 e6 5.b3 Bd6 6.Bb2 O-O 7.d4 Nbd7.
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.
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.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7.
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7. Open any of them to load the position on the board.