Slav Defense

ECO D10-D19intermediate

The Slav, 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, fixes the Queen's Gambit Declined's one flaw: by supporting d5 with the c-pawn instead of the e-pawn, Black keeps the diagonal open for the light-squared bishop. The mainline plan is thematic — ...dxc4 at the right moment, then ...Bf5 developing the problem piece outside the chain before playing ...e6. White fights for the edge with the mainline 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 sequences or sidesteps into the symmetric but sneaky Exchange Slav.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

White advances the pawn to d4, staking a strong claim in the center right from the start. This opens lines for the bishop and queen and sets up the Queen's Gambit structure.
Black answers with d5, meeting White's central pawn head-on. Both sides now have a pawn in the center, and the battle for control of the middle of the board begins.
White pushes the c-pawn to c4, offering a pawn trade in the Queen's Gambit style. This puts pressure on Black's d5 pawn and fights for even more central space.
Black plays c6, the key move of the Slav Defense! Instead of taking the c4 pawn, Black firmly supports the d5 pawn and prepares to keep a solid center.
The knight hops to f3, a great central square. It defends the d4 pawn, eyes the e5 square, and helps White develop pieces quickly toward the center.
Black brings the knight to f6, mirroring White's development. It controls d5 and e4, challenges White's center, and gets an important piece into the game fast.
The knight leaps to c3, supporting the d4 pawn and putting more pieces on strong central squares. White is building up a solid, active setup in the opening.
Black captures the pawn on c4 with the d-pawn! This is a key idea in the Slav — Black wins a pawn and hopes to hold on to it with the c6 support pawn.
White pushes the a-pawn to a4, stopping Black from protecting the extra pawn with b5. This clever move takes away Black's plan and fights to win the c4 pawn back.
The bishop comes out to f5, developing actively and finding a nice open diagonal. Black wants to finish bringing pieces out and get the king to safety soon.
White plays e3, opening the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop on f1. This steady pawn move also helps build a solid pawn structure in the center.
Black advances the e-pawn to e6, giving the bishop on f5 a safe retreat and strengthening the center. The position is becoming rich with ideas for both sides.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	66	54.5%	0%	45.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
600-800	299	58.2%	3.3%	38.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4
800-1000	26	50%	7.7%	42.3%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5
1000-1200	38	55.3%	2.6%	42.1%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4
1200-1400	178	44.4%	2.8%	52.8%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6
1400-1600	687	49.6%	3.3%	47%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6
1600-1800	249	45.4%	6.4%	48.2%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6
1800-2000	740	46.2%	4.7%	49.1%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6
2000-2200	1,407	47%	7.5%	45.5%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6
2200-2400	1,254	44.4%	8.9%	46.7%	1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6

Most played continuations (2000-2200 rating)

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6:

Bxc4 — played 99.5% of the time (White wins 47.2%, draws 7.5%, Black wins 45.3%)
Ne5 — played 0.4% of the time (White wins 20%, draws 0%, Black wins 80%)
Nh4 — played 0.1% of the time (White wins 0%, draws 0%, Black wins 100%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Slav and the Semi-Slav?

The Semi-Slav adds ...e6 before developing the c8 bishop, accepting the QGD's bad-bishop problem in exchange for a granite center and the explosive ...dxc4 and ...b5 Botvinnik/Meran counterattacks. The pure Slav solves the bishop first; the Semi-Slav prioritizes the center and counterattack.

Is the Exchange Slav a forced draw?

The symmetric structure after 3.cxd5 cxd5 is drawish at elite level but full of play below it — minority-attack ideas, the fight for the e4/e5 squares, and first-move initiative all persist. Black equalizes with accurate play but must stay alert for a dozen moves of 'easy-looking' chess.