Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense
The Chigorin Defense of the Semi-Slav is 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6, with Black placing the bishop on d6 instead of taking on c4. Black prepares ...e5 to free the position, and White chooses between the immediate e4 and quieter castling first.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6
- ECO
- D46
- Engine
- +0.55 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 289 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 7.e4 strikes first: after the trades on e4, the bishop on e4 is active and White is a bit better.
- 7.O-O allows ...dxc4 and Bxc4, then e4 and Be3 meet ...e5 with a central bind.
- 7.Qc2 adds a defender to e4 and lines up against h7; castle before deciding on e4.
- If Black plays ...e5 and the center opens, aim the rooks at the d-file and the isolated pawn if one appears.
Black
- Prepare ...e5 with ...O-O and ...Qe7 or ...Re8; this break frees the c8 bishop.
- Against e4, trade knights with ...Nxe4 and then play ...e5 to challenge the center.
- Taking on c4 before ...e5 can be useful once White castles, as the engine's second line shows.
- Keep the bishop on d6; it supports ...e5 and points at h2 if White's king castles short.
Plans and pawn structure
This position is a pre-break standoff. White wants e4 to grab space and open the d3 bishop's diagonal, while Black wants ...e5 for the same reasons. If White gets e4 in first, Black trades on e4 and then hits back with ...e5 to avoid passivity. If Black gets ...e5 first, White can take on d5 and may end with an isolated d-pawn structure. Both sides usually castle short, so the d6 and d3 bishops point at the enemy king.
Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.55: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.55 7.e4 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Bxe4 O-O
- +0.37 7.O-O dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.e4 e5
- +0.20 7.Qc2 O-O 8.O-O e5 9.cxd5 cxd5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
289 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
With White, play 7.e4 and keep it simple: trade on e4, then castle with your bishop well placed. Do not allow ...e5 for free while your pieces sit still. With Black, have ...e5 ready right after any White central push.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.Qc2; 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.b3 Bd6 7.Bb2 O-O 8.Bd3; 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 b6 7.b3 Bb7 8.Bd3.
Questions
What are the moves of the Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense?
The Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6. Its ECO code is D46.
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.55 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 289 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.7%. A practical line for solid Black players who like a clear plan with ...e5, while White players can keep a small edge with an early e4.
What is the main idea of the Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense?
Both sides prepare a central pawn break. White wants e4 and Black wants ...e5, and the side that gets there first usually decides where the pieces go.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e4, with O-O and Qc2 close behind. 7.e4 strikes before Black is ready for ...e5 and opens the d3 bishop's diagonal after the trades.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.