Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.exf6 gxh4 10.Ne5

ECO D44

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Ekstrom 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 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.exf6 gxh4 10.Ne5.

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

The defining move Ne5 is chosen by White on move 10.

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.