Slav DefenseD19

Czech Variation, Classical System, 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 O-O 9. Qe2

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... d5d5 occupies the center.
2. c4c4 strikes at the center.
... c6c6 controls d5.
3. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
4. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... dxc4dxc4 captures a pawn, gains space.
5. a4a4 repositions the pawn.
... Bf5Bf5 develops the bishop and controls e4.
6. e3e3 controls d4.
... e6e6 controls d5.
7. Bxc4Bxc4 captures a pawn, develops the bishop and controls d5.
... Bb4Bb4 pins an enemy piece against its king, develops the bishop.
8. O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
9. Qe2Qe2 repositions the queen.

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Other major variations

The complete Slav Defense guide See all 52 variations in the branch map

Czech Variation, Classical System, Main Line (D19) · Slav Defense · OpeningMate