Semi-Slav Defense, Moscow Variation

The Moscow Variation arises in the Semi-Slav Defense after White places the bishop on g5 and Black attacks it with ...h6. Instead of retreating, White plays Bxf6, captures the knight on f6, and allows Black's queen to recapture on that square.

White gives up a bishop for a knight, pieces of roughly similar value, to avoid some of the Semi-Slav's most forcing sacrificial lines. The exchange also draws Black's queen out early and leaves White with a small lead in development, meaning White may bring more pieces into useful play sooner. Typical follow-up moves include e3, Bd3, castling, and gradual pressure against the center.

The Moscow trades the bishop for development

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h8

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a

Starth6Bxf6Qxf6

...h6 creates a genuine branch: Bxf6 leads to the Moscow, while Bh4 keeps the tension for the Anti-Moscow.

...h6 makes the bishop define the variation

The bishop pressures the knight shielding the queen, and Black asks whether it will capture or retreat.

1. ...h6 creates a genuine branch: Bxf6 leads to the Moscow, while Bh4 keeps the tension for the Anti-Moscow.
2. The g5-bishop and f6-knight form one pin relationship against the queen on d8.