Library/Openings/Semi-Slav Defense/Stoltz Variation/Center Variation ECO D45
Opening· 13 plies

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO D45), reached after 13 half-moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. e4.

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation ECO D45
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Black rook
Black bishop
Black queen
Black king
Black rook
Black pawn
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Black knight
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
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Black bishop
Black pawn
Black knight
Black pawn
White pawn
White pawn
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White knight
White knight
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White queen
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White king
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White rook
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About this opening

Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Center Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code D45. ECO group D (D00–D99) covers closed games and semi-closed games beginning 1.d4 d5, covering the Queen's Gambit, Slav, Grünfeld and related queen-pawn structures. This particular variation is reached after 13 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. e4.

It belongs to the Semi-Slav Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Stoltz Variation → Center Variation line). The immediate parent line is Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, transitioned via 7.e4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 d5, 2.c4 c6, 3.Nf3 Nf6, 4.Nc3 e6, 5.e3 Nbd7, 6.Qc2 Bd6. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.