Slav Defense Theory: Main Line

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The Slav Defense is one of the most common defenses to d4, more specifically, to the Queen’s Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4). White offers the c4 pawn in exchange for central control if it’s taken, and black has a choice to make. He can take it, accepting the gambit, or he can defend his d5 pawn which has been attacked with c4. Defending it with pawns is the only sensible option since playing Nf6, and allowing cxd5 Nxd5 would be met with e4, expanding in the center with tempo.

For an introduction to the opening, watch this video on the basics:    • Introduction to the Slav Defense  

The main line of the Slav Defense starts at the crossroads in the position which happens when white plays Nc3 on move 4. Black can now choose several different variations. The main line Slav is the move dxc4, taking the c4 pawn, and accepting the Queen’s Gambit with delay.

Black does this in order to be able to develop his c8 bishop before he plays e6 and closes it in without allowing white to play cxd5 and Qb3, which would be almost winning if black just went for Bf5 on move 4 (and if Bf5 worked the position would be strategically much better for black and chess theory would crumble).

White can respond to that plan in several different ways. The most common is simply playing a4, the Alapin variation. A4 has an obvious idea of preventing the move b5 from black, thus preventing the defense of the c4 pawn, which can be safely retaken later on.

Instead of a4, white has several quite different approaches to the position. Among them the most interesting ones are e4, the Geller Gambit, which is unsound but could lead to very exciting positions, and e3, the Alekhine Variation. The latter is very good for white because it leads to tactical positions which resemble a Semi-Slav, and in which every tempo counts!

The main line Slav is a very theory heavy opening. It will be hard to learn, and almost impossible to master due to the shear quantity of theory, but if you get good at it, you will have gained an extremely powerful weapon in your repertoire against d4.

#chess