The Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense, catalogued as ECO D31. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Semi-Slav Defense generally: A complex defense combining ideas from the Slav and Queen's Gambit Declined.
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The Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3. It is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense and is catalogued as ECO D31.
The Marshall Gambit, Forgotten Variation is ECO D31. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Semi-Slav Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 at +0.19 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.