Chigorin Defense

The Chigorin Defense is a branch of the Main Line Semi-Slav. Instead of releasing the central tension with 6...dxc4, which leads to the Meran Variation, Black keeps the pawn on d5 and develops the dark-squared bishop to d6. From there it eyes h2 and supports a later ...e5 break, often prepared by castling and by exchanging on c4 at a suitable moment. The cost is that the bishop stands in the path of a white e-pawn advance, since e4-e5 would hit both d6 and f6. Before the Meran became standard this was the main line of the Semi-Slav, and Arthur Bisguier relied on it throughout his career.

White most often continues 7. O-O, completing development and keeping options in the center. The engine's preferred move is 7. e4, an immediate central strike that exploits the bishop's placement; it is played far less often but scores clearly better for White. 7. Qc2, another engine choice, is uncommon and has given Black good results in practice. The engine assesses the position as a slight edge for White.