Slav Defence: moves, ideas and plans

A rock-solid answer to the Queen's Gambit: ...c6 supports d5 and keeps the c8 bishop free.

D19Play it as BlackIntermediate16 moves

Main line: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O O-O

Key ideas

• ...c6 defends d5 without blocking the c8 bishop.
• After ...dxc4, the bishop comes to f5 before ...e6.
• A stable, hard-to-break pawn structure.

The Slav Defence move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as D19 Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch Variation.

1. 1. d4Centre.
2. 1… d5Symmetrical.
3. 2. c4The Queen's Gambit.
4. 2… c6The Slav: d5 is supported and the bishop stays free.
5. 3. Nf3Development.
6. 3… Nf6Development.
7. 4. Nc3More pressure on d5.
8. 4… dxc4Black takes, planning to hold the pawn with ...b5 if allowed.
9. 5. a4White stops ...b5.
10. 5… Bf5The Slav bishop comes out before ...e6.
11. 6. e3White prepares to regain c4.
12. 6… e6Solid pawn chain; the f8 bishop is free.
13. 7. Bxc4White regains the pawn.
14. 7… Bb4Pins the c3 knight and prepares to castle.
15. 8. O-OWhite castles.
16. 8… O-OBlack castles with a comfortable position.

More openings for Black