The Noteboom Variation, Abrahams 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. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after eight moves. White has the bishop pair.
On the Semi-Slav Defense generally: A complex defense combining ideas from the Slav and Queen's Gambit Declined.
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The Noteboom Variation, Abrahams Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5. It is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense and is catalogued as ECO D31.
The Noteboom Variation, Abrahams 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. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 b5 8. axb5 cxb5 at +0.04 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 two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has the bishop pair.