Current position
Semi-Slav Defense: Marshall Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6
The Semi-Slav Defense starts with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 and is catalogued under ECO D31, in the closed games half of the book. The catalog indexes 69 lines inside it, grouped into 49 named variations, and the position after those moves has 2 playable continuations to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Mirrors White’s central claim and prevents an easy e4 expansion.
Idea: Establish a firm center and develop behind the pawn chain.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Captures the pawn on e4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.
Captures the pawn on e4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Develops the bishop to b4, bringing it into the game, forcing the king to answer a check.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
Each line below is an indexed entry under Semi-Slav Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.
25 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Semi-Slav Defense.