This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Opening Name: Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4
Description: The Anti-Moscow Gambit within the Semi-Slav Defense arises after White's bishop pins the knight on f6 with 5.Bg5, and Black responds with 5...h6, challenging the bishop. White retreats to h4 instead of exchanging, maintaining the pin and keeping tension in the position. This move order is characteristic of White’s intention to preserve the pin and avoid early simplifications.
Characteristic of this move: White’s 6.Bh4 is a subtle but important decision to keep pressure on Black’s knight without allowing Black to relieve the pin with ...hxg5. It signals White’s preference for a more strategic and positional battle rather than immediate tactical exchanges.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this setup is generally attacking, aiming to restrict Black’s piece activity and create long-term pressure on the kingside. Black’s ...h6 is somewhat defensive, trying to question White’s bishop and reduce White’s attacking potential.
Control of the Center: This opening does focus on the center indirectly. White controls the center with pawns on d4 and c4, while Black supports the center with pawns on d5 and c6. The pin on the knight at f6 also exerts pressure on Black’s central control, although there is no immediate direct pawn push to challenge the center at this stage.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #15 black
You can also discover how top players used Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.