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  3. /Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line (D46)
D46

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.

Top Players in this Opening

Karpov, Anatoly32 gamesKramnik, Vladimir18 gamesGelfand, Boris18 gamesBeliavsky,A15 gamesPortisch, Lajos14 gamesAnand, Viswanathan13 gamesNajdorf, Miguel13 gamesAlekhine, Alexander12 gamesShirov,A11 gamesTal, Mihail11 games

Related Openings

D40 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense294D41 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense710D42 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line194D43 - Semi-Slav Defense999D44 - Semi-Slav Defense Accepted262D45 - Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line1231D47 - Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation404D48 - Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation160D49 - Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack60

Best Games

Gelfand,B vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
Amber Rapid 2008Notable
Carlsen,M vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2007Notable
Beliavsky,A vs Harikrishna,P1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Kramnik,V0-1
Amber Rapidplay 2001Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Anand,V0-1
Amber Rapidplay 2001Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Topalov,V1-0
Amber Rapidplay 2000Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Lautier, Joel1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Lautier, Joel1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 1999Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Lautier, Joel1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/15+10 1999Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Dortmunder Schachtage 1999Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir0-1
Amber Rapidplay 1999Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Amber Rapidplay 1999Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares16th 1999Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. f 1998Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Amber-rapid 7th 1998Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 7th 1998Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 6th 1997Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Amber-rapid 6th 1997Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable
Khalifman, Alexander vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable

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