D10intermediate

Slav Defense

A solid defense to the Queen's Gambit. Black supports d5 with ...c6, keeping the light-squared bishop free to develop.

36%
White wins
34%
Draw
30%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.d4d52.c4c63.Nf3Nf64.Nc3dxc45.a4Bf56.e3e67.Bxc4Bb48.O-OO-O

Key Ideas

  • 1Supports d5 without blocking the light-squared bishop
  • 2Solid pawn structure with few weaknesses
  • 3Black can develop the bishop to f5 or g4
  • 4Reliable choice at all levels

Variations

Exchange Slav

d4d5c4c6cxd5cxd5Nc3Nf6Bf4Nc6e3Bf5

White exchanges early, leading to symmetrical positions with minority attack plans

Chebanenko Slav

d4d5c4c6Nf3Nf6Nc3a6

The flexible ...a6 move prepares ...b5 without committing to a pawn structure

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Related Openings