Switch to the Moscow lines
Replace the Anti-Moscow Gambit (31.8% over 11 games) with 6.Bxf6 or 5.e3, and track your next 10 Semi-Slavs.
← chickentendie5 / Openings
Semi Slav Defense
The Anti-Moscow Gambit is scoring 31.8% for you. Retire it.
Score44%−4% vs your average
Win chance after move 1249%+2% vs your average
Blunders per game0.76−0.14 vs your average
Clock left at move 109:30−8s vs your average
8
76
5
4
3
2
a1b
c
d
efg
h1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5
What it says about you
Your opponents choose the Semi-Slav, and you respond with 5.Bg5, the sharpest line available. That is out of character with your usual practical choices. The Bg5 move is consistent with the rest of your repertoire, but here it leads straight into one of the most theoretical positions in 1.d4.
How you play it
You score 44.1% (6-8-3), below your 48.3%, though you have won your last 3. You come out of the opening even (49.4 at move 12), then fall to 40.7 by move 20, a drop of almost 9 points. That is the biggest move 12-20 slide in your White repertoire. 6 of your 8 losses ended in checkmate. The Anti-Meran Gambit (the Anti-Moscow lines) scores 31.8% over 11 games, while the Botvinnik accepted scores 66.7% over 3.
Last 90 days: 3 games, 100% score.
What you're missing
- 01
King safety in the Anti-Moscow. 6 of 8 losses ended in checkmate. In lines where Black plays ...h6, ...g5 and ...b5, your king often castles into open lines.
- 02
Endgame accuracy. 25.axb5 (76% down to 52%, when 25.f3 was best) and 37.Nd6+ (44% down to 18%, when 37.Kf4 was best) are both endgame errors in positions you should hold.
- 03
Opponent combinations. 31.Rxa2 missed a combination (50% down to 6%, when 31.Qb6 was best), with 84 seconds left.
- 04
A consistent plan. 4 losses are labelled big positional errors, which fits the sharp, unclear positions the Anti-Moscow creates.
How to improve it
- 01
Consider the Moscow proper, 5...h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6, and then e3, Bd3 and O-O with pressure in the centre. It keeps the bishop-pair trade simple and avoids the wild ...g5 lines.
- 02
Or play 5.e3, entering the Meran. It is still theoretical, but the plans (e4 break, attack on the queenside) are more logical and fit your QG style.
- 03
If you stay with the Anti-Moscow, you need to know the main line: 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2. Understand where both kings belong.
- 04
In the Botvinnik (66.7% over 3), keep playing it if Black allows it. But study the key positions, since it is the sharpest line in the Semi-Slav.
Where it goes wrong
Your losses in this opening, by where and how the decisive mistake happened.
Phase of the decisive mistake
What the mistake was
Variations you reach
| Anti Meran Gambit | 11 | 32% |
| Accepted Botvinnik Variation | 3 | 67% |
Winning positions converted here: 86% (6 of 7).
Recent mistakes in this opening
Your move in red, Stockfish's in black.
8
7
65
43
2
a1b
c
d
e
fgh
vs Alfredmarv (2127) · 26-09-26 →
8
76
5
43
2
a1b
c
d
e
f
g
h
vs yunihariadi (2182) · 19-09-26 →
8
7
6
5
43
2
a1b
c
d
e
f
g
h
vs yunihariadi (2182) · 19-09-26 →
87
6
5
4
3
2a1b
c
d
e
f
gh
vs syarifz (2165) · 20-05-26 →
Next steps
Review your 6 checkmate losses
Find the move where your king safety was lost in each. That is likely the root cause of 6 of your 8 losses.
Practise minor-piece endgames
Two recent errors were in knight endgames. Spend 20 minutes a week on basic knight and king activity.
Drill it
Puzzles built from your own mistakes in the Semi Slav Defense, and every game you've played in it.