Slav Defense

The idea

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, Black keeps a firm pawn on d5 without blocking the c8 bishop. That is the main advantage over the Queen's Gambit Declined. The usual follow-up is ...Nf6, then ...dxc4 when the time is right, ...Bf5 and ...e6.

In the main line, 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4, Black takes the pawn and White plays a4 to stop ...b5, then wins it back with e3 and Bxc4. Black ends up with a sound position and good pieces. White can also choose the Exchange Variation with cxd5, which leads to a symmetrical, calm game, or set up quietly with e3.

Solid but not passive. The pawn structure is healthy, the bishop is active, and Black rarely gets into deep trouble. Many top players use it as their main defense against 1.d4.

Players who want the solidity of the Queen's Gambit Declined without its locked-in bishop. It suits people who like clean positions and small, steady advantages.

If you take on c4, do not try to keep the pawn with ...b5 once White has played a4: the pawns on the queenside can fall like dominoes.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.d4 · White takes space in the center with a pawn that the queen already guards, and opens the way for the bishop on c1. It is the quieter cousin of 1.e4.
2. 1...d5 · Black puts a pawn in the center too and keeps White from playing e4 for free. Both sides now fight for the squares e4 and e5.
3. 2.c4 · The Queen's Gambit: White offers the c-pawn to pull the d5 pawn away from the center. Taking it is not a real win, since White can usually win the pawn back, so Black often keeps the pawn on d5.
4. 2...c6 · The Slav Defense. Black props up d5 with the c-pawn instead of the e-pawn, so the bishop on c8 keeps an open road to f5 or g4.
5. 3.Nf3 · White develops the knight to its best square, where it guards d4 and watches e5. It also avoids 3.Nc3 e5, where Black gives up a pawn for quick, active play.
6. 3...Nf6 · Black develops the knight and adds one more guard to d5. It also prepares castling, and from f6 the knight keeps an eye on e4.
7. 4.Nc3 · The second knight joins in and puts more pressure on d5 while eyeing e4. This is the Three Knights Variation; Black now picks between 4...dxc4, 4...a6 and 4...e6.

Next moves in book

• 3.Nc3 · Slav Defense
• 3.cxd5 · Exchange Variation
• 3.e4 · Diemer Gambit
• 3.Nf3 · Modern Line

Related openings

• Semi-Slav Defense D30–D49 · 49 named lines
• Queen's Gambit Declined D02–D69 · 138 named lines
• Queen's Gambit Accepted D20–D29 · 48 named lines
• Queen's Gambit D06 · 1 named line