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Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit

White Gambit

Source Lichess

You play
Play Thiswins clearly more often than it loses at this level
All Ratings
Edge at worst+8.9%

White wins at least 8.9 more of every 100 games than it loses

how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident

Rating TrendPeak: +8.9% at 2200-2499
0-9992500+
Win%53.0%
Games18K
Breakpoint0-999first rating it isn't shown winning more than losing
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Does Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit work for White at All Ratings?

Snapshot

At All Ratings, Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit keeps White's wins running +8.9% ahead of its losses at worst, 90% confident, from 18K Lichess games. This gambit is effective. Win rate, draw rate and loss rate come from games played December 2023 to November 2025.

RatingEdge at worstWhite WinDrawWhite LossGames
0-999−27.3%43.7%3.0%53.3%82
1000-1199+7.1%57.1%3.6%39.4%236
1200-1399−1.6%52.1%2.4%45.4%387
1400-1599−0.1%51.2%3.1%45.7%851
1600-1799+8.3%54.4%3.3%42.3%1.8K
1800-1999+5.5%52.4%3.5%44.1%3.6K
2000-2199+7.5%53.0%3.8%43.2%5.1K
2200-2499+8.9%53.3%4.7%42.1%4.7K
2500++8.9%53.4%6.5%40.1%1.4K
Full Opening StatsSee rating/time-control breakdowns for White on the opening stats page
Analyze Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit sound?

At some ratings. White comes out ahead at 1000-1199 and 1600+; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying. Where it pays changes with the clock, so set yours above and look again.

What is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit win rate?

White wins 53.0% of Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit games, draws 4.1% and loses 42.9%. That rests on 18K games from Lichess.

What is the best rating to play the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit?

2200-2499. There White wins at least 8.9 more of every 100 games than it loses (90% confident), its highest Edge at worst.

Is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz. For White, the Edge at worst — how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident — is +7.8% in Blitz (9.0K games) and +6.0% in Rapid (949 games).

Does the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit breakpoint vary by time control?

Yes. The first rating where the games do not show White coming out ahead is 1200-1399 in Bullet, 1200-1399 in Blitz and 1400-1599 in Rapid.

How sharp is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit?

The Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit is extremely sharp: 4.1% of its games are drawn, so 95.9% end with a winner.

Should I play the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit?

At 1000-1199 and 1600+, where White comes out ahead. At the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying. Where it pays changes with the clock, so set yours above and look again.

How do I defend against the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit?

As Black, take the material, then develop fast, castle early, and trade pieces. Give the material back when doing so kills the attack. At 1000-1199 and 1600+, White still comes out ahead in these games; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show the gambit paying.

How reliable is the Semi-Slav Defense: Noteboom Variation, Anti-Noteboom Gambit data?

This rests on 18K games from Lichess. Every figure carries the range it is in, 90% confident, and the table above shows how many games sit behind each rating and each clock — the fewer there are, the wider that range.