Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
Defend d5 with …c6 — keeps the bishop free to develop.
Famous practitioners: Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen
Starting position
0 / 4 moves
Key Ideas
- ♟…c6 supports d5 without blocking the light-squared bishop
- ♟More flexible than the QGD — the bishop can go to f5 or g4
- ♟The Semi-Slav (adding …e6) leads to incredibly sharp play
♔ Plans for White
- —Play Nf3, Nc3 and develop normally
- —Push e4 when Black allows it
- —In the Exchange Slav: play for queenside minority attack
♚ Plans for Black
- —Develop …Bf5 before …e6 to avoid the 'French bishop' problem
- —Play …dxc4 and try to hold the extra pawn with …b5
- —Semi-Slav with …e6: enter the Meran or Anti-Meran
⚠️ Common Traps & Pitfalls
Marshall Gambit Trap
In the Semi-Slav Meran — sacrificial play with pawn grabs on the queenside leads to very sharp territory.
📍 Critical Positions
Slav Defense
…c6 keeps the light bishop free. White typically continues with Nf3 or Nc3.
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 3Are you leaking games in the Slav Defense?
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Related Openings
Queen's Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4
The queen of openings — classical central control and strategic depth.
London System
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
The solid system opening — same setup against everything.
Queen's Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
Classical and rock-solid — Black maintains the d5 pawn.
Trompowsky Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5
Pin the knight immediately — avoid mainstream theory.