Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
A defense for Black
Support d5 with c6 - solid, active, and hard to beat.
Show me the opening
0 / 4 moves
The idea
Black supports the d5 pawn with ...c6, keeping the light-squared bishop free to develop to f5 or g4 (unlike the QGD where ...e6 traps it). One of the most solid openings in chess.
The plan
Develop the bishop to f5 before playing ...e6, then complete development and castle. The c-file can become active after ...dxc4 at the right moment.
What to play next
After taking on c4, Black plays ...Bf5 to develop the bishop to an active square before playing ...e6. White captures on c4 and Black plays ...Bb4 to pin the knight. The bishop on b4 and f5 are both active, giving Black a comfortable, solid position.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4
Watch the typical continuation
Show me the opening
0 / 14 moves
One tip for beginners
The key move order is: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3, then ...dxc4 to take the pawn and develop freely. The light-squared bishop must come out before ...e6.
What to watch out for
If White plays 3.Nc3 immediately, play ...Nf6 first. Don't rush ...dxc4 until you know which square the bishop will go to.
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