Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Lilienthal 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.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.g3

ECO D44

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Lilienthal 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.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.g3.

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

The defining move g3 is chosen by White on move 11.

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.