Semi-Slav Defense, Botvinnik Variation

The Botvinnik Variation arises in the Semi-Slav Defense when White develops the bishop to g5 and Black answers with ...dxc4. Instead of recovering the pawn immediately, White plays e4 and occupies the center with pawns on d4 and e4. Black commonly supports the c4-pawn with ...b5.

White accepts being temporarily a pawn down in return for compensation. Compensation means advantages that may balance the lost material, such as extra space, faster development, open lines, and threats against the king. Here White's center can advance with e5 and drive away the f6-knight while the bishops and queen find attacking routes.

The Botvinnik sets material against initiative

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Startdxc4e4b5e5

...dxc4 accepts that White can build a broad center in return for Black keeping an extra pawn.

After Bg5, Black chooses the sharpest branch

The immediate capture on c4 leads to the Botvinnik; ...h6 would enter another family of variations.

1. ...dxc4 accepts that White can build a broad center in return for Black keeping an extra pawn.
2. ...h6 is an independent alternative that questions the bishop and leads to the Moscow or Anti-Moscow branches.