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Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6

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Slav Defence
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black kingd7 black kinge7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black pawnd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black pawne5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white pawnd4 white pawne4 black kingf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
ECO code: D10-D19

Slav Defence

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2...c6

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Originally considered a less-orthodox defence in the Queen's Gambit, this opening has stood as an entire opening system in its own right for decades.

The idea behind this defence is straightforward: instead of locking in the light squared bishop on c8, why not support the center with the c-pawn instead? Black tends to be more active in this variation than the QGD.

White's main lines:

  • 3. Nf3 - The main line. As with the QGD, white makes a useful developing move while maintaining some flexibility: will they play for e4, play cxd5, or play for the minority attack?
  • 3. Nc3 - Sometimes provocative, this move may lead to variations where black overextends by trying to hold on to the pawn on c4.
  • 3. cxd5 - The exchange variation. This relieves the central tension perhaps too early on and tends to allow black equality. One of the main drawbacks of having the Slav as a main opening repertoire is that it is hard for Black (or White) to win in the exchange variation. According to chess365, 83% of Masters games ended in a draw after this move. Even so, it is important for both sides to know that there are still attacking options to sharpen up the game.

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6

3
Nf3
...
=
Nc3
...
=
cxd5
cxd5
=

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References

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