Chessy
Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order for Black
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6, White gets the next move and you already need a clear plan. This drill is built for the exact position that arises here, so you can practise the response instead of memorising a long tree. The position is not fully equal yet, and White has a small edge, so Black needs to know which move keeps the game in shape and which common tries are only inaccuracies.
Play the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order against the engine
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Play the drill and test your responses against the engine. If you want more practice, create a free account and keep training this opening.
Create a free account →What the engine wants here
Stockfish rates this +0.57, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse and should play with care rather than assume the opening has solved itself. The engine’s best move is e4, and the listed continuation is e4 dxe4 Nxe4 Bb4+. In practical terms, this is the moment to meet White’s central intentions directly and stay alert to active piece play.
What the numbers say about the position
This exact position has been reached in 4,271,478 games in the Lichess database, so it is a very real battleground and not a rare sideline. White scores 51.6%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 44.3%. That means you need a solid answer ready for the main White tries, because the position gives White a little more of the initiative if you drift.
The most common White tries
White does not always choose the same plan, but the most played continuations are clear. Nf3 is the most common with 1,895,380 games, followed by Bf4 with 589,022, e3 with 536,647, cxd5 with 463,246, e4 with 313,651, and a3 with 183,632. These moves tell you what your opponents are most likely to test: development, central tension, and pressure on your structure.
The mistakes to punish
Two of the listed moves are marked as inaccuracies. Bf4 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns; the better move was e4. a3 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; the better move was e4. So if White spends a tempo on one of these quieter moves, do not relax — the opening of the position with e4 is the critical idea you need to understand and meet.
Results across 4,271,478 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 1,895,380 | 51.8% |
| Bf4 | 589,022 | 51.9% |
| e3 | 536,647 | 50.9% |
| cxd5 | 463,246 | 50.5% |
| e4 | 313,651 | 53.9% |
| a3 | 183,632 | 50.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order sound for Black?
It is playable, but this exact position is not an easy equaliser. Stockfish gives +0.57, a small edge for White, so you should expect to defend accurately rather than rely on instant equality.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is e4. The continuation given is e4 dxe4 Nxe4 Bb4+, which shows that Black needs to respond actively when White challenges the centre.
What are White’s most common moves here?
The most played continuations are Nf3, Bf4, e3, cxd5, e4, and a3. Nf3 is by far the most common, but the engine flags Bf4 and a3 as inaccuracies in this position.
What should I learn from the statistics?
The database shows that White scores 51.6%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 44.3% in this exact position. That makes this a useful drill for learning how to handle White’s main ideas without getting pushed back too easily.
How many games feature the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order?
Over 4 million Lichess games have reached the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order position. White wins 51.6%, Black wins 44.3%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.