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.
Main line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4
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.
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 | 35 | 57.1% | 0% | 42.9% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 |
| 600-800 | 26 | 50% | 3.8% | 46.2% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 |
| 800-1000 | 51 | 49% | 0% | 51% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 |
| 1000-1200 | 144 | 47.9% | 2.1% | 50% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 |
| 1200-1400 | 44 | 40.9% | 2.3% | 56.8% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 |
Most played continuations (1000-1200 rating)
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3:
- Be7 — played 26.4% of the time (White wins 57.9%, draws 2.6%, Black wins 39.5%)
- h6 — played 22.9% of the time (White wins 42.4%, draws 0%, Black wins 57.6%)
- Bb4 — played 16.7% of the time (White wins 50%, draws 0%, Black wins 50%)
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.
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