Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.Qf3

ECO D44

The Semi-Slav Defense: Botvinnik Variation, Szabo Variation is a chess opening line in the Semi-Slav Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.Qf3.

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

The defining move Qf3 is chosen by White on move 11.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Catalan Opening 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.