Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 · D10–D19
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 16
The bishop comes out before ...e6
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The idea
Black defends d5 with the c-pawn instead of the e-pawn, keeping the bishop on c8 free to develop actively to f5.
Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7
What White wants
- Recover the pawn with Bxc4 and build with e3 or e4
- Use a4 to discourage ...b5 and secure the c4 recovery
- Develop the kingside before committing to an attack
What Black wants
- Develop the bishop to f5 before playing ...e6 — the same idea as the Caro-Kann
- Hold d5 and free the position with ...c5 or ...e5
- Trade into a solid, slightly passive middlegame
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
The bishop comes out before ...e6
Playing ...c6 defends d5 without blocking the c8 bishop, so ...Bf5 can follow and the bishop stays active for the whole game. This is the entire structural reason the Slav exists.
Common mistake
Confusing the bishop-development plan with a rigid rule. Playing ...e6 before ...Bf5 leads to the sound Semi-Slav, not a refutation; Black must then arrange a central break or queenside expansion to activate the bishop behind the chain.
Mistake example: O-O.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r2qk2r/pp1n1ppp/2p1pn2/5b2/PbBP4/2N1PN2/1P3PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 3 9
Analyze this position