Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
The Slav Defense is a solid opening for Black in response to White's
Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4). Black fights for equality against one
of White's most popular openings without creating a bad light-
squared bishop—one of the downsides of other defenses like the
French Defense and the Queen's Gambit Declined.
An extremely popular opening which has been endorsed by many
world champions such as GMs Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Vladimir
Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, and Magnus Carlsen. Usually leading
to slower games, the Slav is a good choice for players at any level.
Starting Position
The Slav Defense starts after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6. Black avoids
taking White's c4-pawn to keep their firm grasp of the center,
particularly the e4-square. The characteristic 2...c6 supports the d5-
pawn while not locking the light-squared bishop inside the pawn
chain as it happens in other openings such as the French Defense and
Queen's Gambit Declined.
The Slav
Defense starting position.
Of course, there's a downside to the move 2...c6. The c7-c6 pawn
push doesn't help develop any pieces, and the pawn blocks the
knight's most natural development square.
Pros
The c8-bishop has a free diagonal to develop.
Black maintains a solid central point.
Black might capture the c4-pawn.
Cons
Black's development is slower.
Hitting back with ...c5 will lose a move.
The c6-pawn blocks the natural development square of the
knight.
Variations
As with most of the other major openings among grandmasters, the
Slav has an extensive theory. The three variations listed below are by
far the most popular:
Main Line
The main line of the Slav Defense results in a balanced position. Both
sides have a multitude of options as to how to conduct the game.
Modern Line, Quiet Variation
By playing the Quiet Variation of the Modern Line, White can avoid
learning heavy theory. White gets a good position out of the opening
by relying on simple development and a solid pawn structure.
Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation is the most uneventful line of the Slav
Defense despite its immense popularity. Of the more than 4,600
games with this line in our database, 65% of them ended in a draw.
The positions in this variation are very symmetrical, with little chance
for either of the players to create serious threats. The most popular
continuation of this line sees both players exchanging their pieces
and reaching a drawn position.
Even though the results aren't compelling, the Exchange Variation is
the simplest way of playing against the Slav and retains the initiative
of having the first move as White.
Chameleon (Chebanenko Slav)
The Chameleon Variation is the second most popular choice for Black
after 4...dxc4. This system is very flexible, as multiple pawn structures
may arise from this variation. Black plays 4...a6 to support the b5-
square.
How To Play Against The Slav Defense
White usually scores well against the Slav Defense, which is good
news for the Queen's Gambit player. The move 2...c6 is the most
popular response to 2.c4, despite White winning 40% of games,
drawing 39%, and losing only 21%.
Below you can learn two of the best scoring variations against the
main line and the Chameleon, by far the two variations that Black
chooses most often.
Bled Attack
The Bled Attack is a great way to fight against the main line of the
Slav. White plays 6.Nh4 to threaten Black's light-squared bishop, and
Black can already go wrong in a few different ways in this position.
White wins 48% of the time, draws 32%, and loses 20% when
employing this variation.
This line is particularly interesting since the Slav player usually wants
to put their light-squared bishop to good use, and the Bled Attack
makes this harder to achieve.
