Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4

ECO D44

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation is a chess opening line in the Semi-Slav Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4.

It is catalogued under code D44 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e4 is chosen by White on move 6.

4 named continuations branch from this position, including the Alatortsev System and the Ekstrom Variation.

Named variations

• Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Alatortsev System — ECO D44
• Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation — ECO D44
• Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Lilienthal Variation — ECO D44
• Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation — ECO D44

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Slav Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.