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Semi-Slav Defense

Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack

D45gambitaggressivetactical

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c6
  3. 3.Nf3Nf6
  4. 4.Nc3e6
  5. 5.e3Nbd7
  6. 6.Qc2Bd6
  7. 7.g4
281 games52%41%

A sharp Semi-Slav gambit in which White throws the g-pawn forward with 7. g4 against the Stoltz setup, aiming to unsettle Black's knight and center.

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About the Shabalov Attack

The Shabalov Attack, also called the Shirov–Shabalov Gambit, offers the g-pawn with 7. g4 to drive away the f6-knight and loosen Black's hold on the center. Alexander Shabalov and Alexey Shirov popularized it, and Kasparov used it to beat Deep Junior in 2003. Accepting with 7...Nxg4 is the most common reply, met by 8. Rg1. The alternatives are 7...h6 and 7...dxc4, the latter answered by 8. Bxc4. The engine regards the position as balanced.

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