Slav Defense
ECO Codes: D10-D19
Overview
The Slav Defense is one of the most respected answers to the Queen's Gambit. Beginning with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, Black establishes a solid pawn structure while maintaining flexibility in piece development. The opening has been employed by many world champions and remains a popular choice at all levels.
Main Line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6Key Strategic Themes
- Solid pawn structure
- Control of e4 square
- Queenside expansion
- Active piece play
- Dynamic counterplay
Typical Tactical Motifs
- c4 pawn tension
- b5 breaks
- e4 breaks
- Bishop development to f5/g4
- Queenside pawn majority
Main Variations
Classical Slav
ECO: D10-D15
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4The main line of the Slav Defense, where Black captures the c4 pawn and aims for active piece play.
Key Ideas:
- Early pawn capture on c4
- Solid pawn structure
- Active piece development
- Control of e4 square
- Dynamic counterplay
Typical Plans:
- ...b5 pawn advance
- ...Bf5 development
- ...e6 setup
- Queenside expansion
- Central control
Common Traps:
Classical Slav Trap
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Bxc3Black can achieve equality through careful piece exchanges and solid pawn structure.
Chebanenko Slav
ECO: D15-D16
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6A modern and flexible approach where Black prepares ...b5 without immediately committing to a central structure.
Key Ideas:
- Early ...a6 preparation
- Flexible pawn structure
- Multiple development schemes
- Queenside expansion
- Active piece play
Typical Plans:
- ...b5 advance
- ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 development
- ...e6 or ...g6 setup
- Queenside pressure
- Central control
Common Traps:
Chebanenko Trap
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.c5 b6 6.cxb6 axb5 7.Nxb5White can exploit premature pawn advances on the queenside.
Moscow Variation
ECO: D17-D19
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4A sharp line where White immediately fights for the initiative on the queenside while maintaining central pressure.
Key Ideas:
- Early a4 advance
- Fight for c4 pawn
- Queenside pressure
- Central control
- Active piece play
Typical Plans:
- e2-e3 setup
- Bxc4 recovery
- Kingside castling
- e3-e4 break
- Piece coordination
Common Traps:
Moscow Trap
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 9.Qe2White builds pressure against Black's queenside while maintaining central control.
Quick Facts
- ECO Code: D10-D19
- Popularity: Very Common
- Difficulty: Advanced
- First Played: 19th century
- Named After: Slavic chess players
Famous Practitioners
- Vladimir Kramnik
- Viswanathan Anand
- Alexander Morozevich
- Boris Gelfand
- Michael Adams
Recommended Resources
Books
- "The Complete Slav" by Konstantin Sakaev
- "Playing the Slav" by David Vigorito
- "The Slav: Move by Move" by Cyrus Lakdawala
Online Courses
- Chess24's Slav Defense Course
- Chessable's Lifetime Slav
- ICC's Complete Slav Defense
Classic Games
Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2000
A brilliant display of Slav Defense strategy in the World Championship.
Study Game →Anand vs Topalov, 2005
A modern classic showcasing the dynamic potential of the Chebanenko Slav.
Study Game →