Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order
The Accelerated Move Order reaches the Semi-Slav triangle with 2...e6 and 3...c6, delaying ...Nf6. Black keeps the c8 bishop's diagonal and the queen's options flexible, while White must decide between the sharp 4.e4, the 4.Nf3 lines that allow ...dxc4, or a quiet 4.e3.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6
- ECO
- D31
- Engine
- +0.54 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,973 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.e4 is the Marshall Gambit idea: because ...Nf6 is not on the board, e4 can be played at once.
- 4.Nf3 invites ...dxc4, and then a4 and e3 aim to win the pawn back or get a strong center.
- 4.e3 followed by Nf3 and Bd3 leads to normal Meran structures where Black takes on c4 and plays ...b5.
- Keep an eye on the d5 point; cxd5 exd5 gives an exchange structure where your minority attack is possible.
Black
- Against 4.e4, the engine's ...dxe4 and later ...c5 tries to trade queens and reach a level ending.
- Against 4.Nf3, ...dxc4 with ...b5 and ...Bb4 is the sharp Noteboom plan to hang on to the extra pawn.
- Against 4.e3, play ...Nf6 and ...Nbd7, then take on c4 and expand with ...b5.
- Keep the knight on g8 flexible for now; ...Nf6 can come later or ...Ne7 can follow in some lines.
Plans and pawn structure
No pieces have been traded and the central pawns are locked, so the plans depend on White's fourth move. With e4, White opens the center and Black must be precise with checks on b4 and trades on d1. With Nf3, Black can grab c4 and build a queenside majority with ...b5 and ...a5. With e3, the game heads to Meran setups where White aims for e4 and Black uses ...c5 to free the position. Both kings usually castle short.
Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.54: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.54 4.e4 dxe4 5.Nxe4 c5 6.dxc5 Qxd1+
- +0.29 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.a4 Bb4 6.e3 b5
- +0.28 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,973 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Marshall Gambit4.e4 · 976 games
- Noteboom Variation4.Nf3 · 690 games
- Meran Variation, Pirc Variation4.e3 · rare
- Marshall Gambit, Tolush Variation4.e4 · rare
- Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation4.Nf3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, pick one plan and know it. 4.e4 is the most testing try and gives you active pieces for a pawn. 4.Nf3 is solid but requires knowing the Noteboom. Avoid aimless developing moves without a plan, which let Black play ...dxc4 and ...b5 freely.
Questions
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order?
The Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6. Its ECO code is D31.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.54 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 4,973 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.0%. Best for Black players who already know the Marshall Gambit and Noteboom lines, since White gets to choose a sharp path on move four.
What is the main idea of the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order?
Black builds the c6-d5-e6 triangle while delaying ...Nf6. This avoids some White setups with Bg5, but it gives White the chance to play e4 at once or to face the Noteboom after Nf3 and ...dxc4.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e4, with Nf3 and e3 close behind. 4.e4 strikes the center at once, using the fact that Black's knight is not yet on f6 to control e4.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.