kids encyclopedia robot

Slav Defense facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Slav Defense
Solid white.svg a b c d e f g h Solid white.svg
8 {{{square}}} black rook {{{square}}} black knight {{{square}}} black bishop {{{square}}} black queen {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black bishop {{{square}}} black knight {{{square}}} black rook 8
7 {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black pawn 7
6 {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king 6
5 {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black pawn {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king 5
4 {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king 4
3 {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king 3
2 {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} black king {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn {{{square}}} white pawn 2
1 {{{square}}} white rook {{{square}}} white knight {{{square}}} white bishop {{{square}}} white queen {{{square}}} white king {{{square}}} white bishop {{{square}}} white knight {{{square}}} white rook 1
Solid white.svg a b c d e f g h Solid white.svg
Moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
ECO D10–D19
Parent Queen's Gambit

The Slav Defense is a popular chess opening. It starts with these moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6

This opening is a strong way for the Black pieces to respond to the Queen's Gambit. People have studied the Slav Defense since the 1500s. But it became really popular in the 1920s. Many chess masters from Slavic countries helped make it famous. These included players like Alapin and Alekhine.

The Slav Defense was used a lot in the World Chess Championship matches of 1935 and 1937. Eleven of the first thirteen world champions played it. Champions like Botvinnik and Smyslov especially liked it. More recently, top players like Anand and Vladimir Kramnik have used it. Kramnik even played it in six of his eight games as Black in the 2006 World Championship.

Today, there is a lot of information and study about the Slav Defense. It is a very well-known and strong opening.


This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Understanding the Slav Defense

The Slav Defense helps Black solve some common problems. In many other defenses to the Queen's Gambit, Black's queen bishop (the bishop on the c8 square) can be hard to move. It often gets blocked by Black's own pawns. Also, White can sometimes attack Black's pawns on the queenside (the left side of the board).

The Slav Defense helps with these issues. Black's queen bishop is not blocked. This means it can move out easily. The pawns stay balanced, which is good for Black. If Black takes White's pawn on c4 later, the pawn on c6 helps support a move like ...b5. This can help Black gain time and space on the queenside.

Main Ways to Play the Slav

There are three main ways to play the Slav Defense:

  • The "Pure" Slav or Main Line Slav: Black tries to move the light-squared bishop to f5 or g4 early.
  • The a6 Slav or Chebanenko Slav: Black plays 4...a6.
  • The Semi-Slav: Black plays ...e6. This is a mix of the Slav and another opening called the Queen's Gambit Declined. It is a very complex opening on its own.
  • There is also a less common option called the Schlechter Slav where Black plays ...g6.

Common Moves for White in the Slav

After Black plays 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, White usually plays 3.Nf3. But White has other choices too.

What Happens if White Plays 3.e3?

If White plays 3.e3, Black often plays 3...Nf6. Another good move for Black is 3...Bf5. This move often helps Black get an equal position.

What is the Exchange Slav?

The Exchange Slav happens if White plays 3.cxd5. Black then plays 3...cxd5. This creates a very balanced position. It can often lead to a draw if both players want one. White has a small advantage because they moved first. But Black has good chances to draw or even win if White tries too hard.

What if White Plays 3.Nc3?

If White plays 3.Nc3, Black usually plays 3...Nf6. This often leads back to the main line of the Slav Defense. Black can also try 3...dxc4, which is called the Argentinian Defense.

White's Choices After 3.Nf3

After 3.Nf3, Black usually plays 3...Nf6. White's most common move is then 4.Nc3. But White has other options here too.

What if White Plays 4.Qc2 or 4.Qb3?

Sometimes White plays 4.Qc2 or 4.Qb3. This can be similar to another opening called the Catalan Opening. Black can respond with 4...g6, planning to move the bishop to f5. Or Black can play 4...dxc4.

What is the Slow Slav?

The Slow Slav happens if White plays 4.e3. White tries to avoid the complicated main lines. A common way for Black to play is 4...Bf5. White might then play 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4. White gets two bishops, which can be an advantage. But Black gets a solid position and can often create counterplay.

Main Lines of the Slav Defense

After 4.Nc3, Black has a few main choices. Black should not play 4...Bf5 right away. White can gain an advantage by attacking Black's b-pawn.

What is the a6 (Chebanenko) Slav?

The a6 Slav or Chebanenko Slav happens after 4...a6. Black wants to play ...b5 early. This helps Black develop pieces on the queenside without blocking the queen bishop.

What is the Slav Geller Gambit?

After 4...dxc4, White's sharpest move is the Slav Geller Gambit, 5.e4. White gives up a pawn to get a strong attack. Play often continues 5...b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 e6. It is not clear if White's attack is strong enough for the sacrificed pawn. Most experts think Black is slightly better here.

What is the Alapin Variation?

The Alapin Variation starts with 5.a4. White tries to stop Black from playing ...b5. White also gets ready to play 6.e4 and 7.Bxc4. Black's main move here is 5...Bf5.

What is the Steiner Variation?

In the Steiner Variation, Black plays 5...Bg4. This move might make White think twice about playing e4.

What is the Smyslov Variation?

The Smyslov Variation is 5...Na6. Black lets White play e4. But Black can get counterplay by moving the bishop to g4 and the knight to b4.

What is the Czech Variation?

The Czech Variation is considered the main line. It starts with 5...Bf5. Black's move stops White from playing 6.e4.

What is the Dutch Variation?

If White plays 6.e3, it is called the Dutch Variation. The game can continue with 6...e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.0-0 0-0. This usually leads to a calm game.

What is the Krause Attack?

A more active line is the Krause Attack, which starts with 6.Ne5. White plans to play f2–f3 and e2–e4. White might also take the pawn on c4. Black can try 6...Nbd7 or 6...e6. These lines can lead to very complex positions with sacrifices and attacks.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Defensa eslava para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Slav Defense Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.