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Learning studio · D10 Slav Defense

The Slav Defense for Black

The Slav Defense arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6: you support d5 with the c-pawn instead of e6 – so the road of your bishop on c8 stays open.

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The Slav Defense for Black

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6

The Slav Defense arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6: you support d5 with the c-pawn instead of e6 – so the road of your bishop on c8 stays open. The plan is simple and sound: first Nf6, then – often after dxc4 – the bishop to f5, and only then e6. White has three main roads: the main line with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3, where you take the pawn with 4...dxc4 and after 5.a4 play the Czech Variation with 5...Bf5; the quiet 4.e3 (the Slow Slav), against which you also set up Bf5 and e6; and the exchange 3.cxd5, after which you play symmetrically with Nc6 and Bf5. The course follows the moves of the strongest players and checks every position with Stockfish.

  • First the bishop, then e6: your bishop on c8 goes to f5 (or g4) before the e-pawn blocks its way – that is the difference to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
  • After dxc4 you do not keep the pawn at any price. White usually wins it back with the bishop; in return you gain time for Bf5, e6 and Bb4.
  • The bishop on b4 pins the knight on c3 and keeps an eye on e4 – together with the bishop on f5 it slows down White's advance e3–e4.
  • If White chases your bishop with the knight to h4, step back to g6. If he takes there, recapture with the h-pawn: the doubled pawn is harmless and the h-file opens for your rook.
  • In the Exchange Slav the position is symmetrical: develop with Nc6, Bf5, e6 and Bd6, trade the dark-squared bishops and put your rooks on the c-file.