D45

Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line

Key moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6

The Queen's Gambit Declined is one of the most solid and classical chess openings. Black defends the d5 pawn with ...e6, maintaining a strong central presence. The resulting positions are strategically rich with well-defined plans for both sides.

History & Notable Players

A cornerstone of chess strategy since the 19th century. It was the main battleground in many World Championship matches, particularly those of Capablanca, Alekhine, and Botvinnik.

Best Games

Gukesh,D vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Rapport,R1-0
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Duda,J vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
10th Norway Chess 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F0-1
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Le, Quang Liem vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2021★ Notable
Rychagov,A vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Tang,Andrew vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Le Quang Liem vs Arjun,Kalyan1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 11 • 2020★ Notable
Giri,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
7th Sinquefield Cup 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Moscow FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable

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