Foil The Queen's Gambit With The Slav Defense

One of the most popular openings for White is the Queen’s Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4). By striking at the center with 2. c4, White asks Black an immediate question: how to respond to the pressure exerted against Black’s important d5 pawn? There are many options for Black - including the Queen’s Gambit Accepted and the Queen’s Gambit Declined. In this article we are going to cover the other main reply for Black: the Slav Defense.

Whenever the Slav Defense is mentioned, it is almost invariably described as “solid”. We will do so again in this article!

This reputation makes the Slav Defense a favorite of chess players who prefer to avoid too many complications in the opening. By playing the Slav, Black can usually reach a playable middlegame without too many problems.

In this article, we cover everything you need to know to get started with the Slav Defense. You will learn:

• The origins of the Slav Defense.
• Thematic ideas and plans in the middlegame.
• Where to go to further your education in this super-solid opening for Black.

The Slav Defense - Introduction and Origins

The Slav Defense is characterized by Black responding to the Queen’s Gambit with 2. …c6.

This move has been played for hundreds of years, but it only really began to gain popularity in the early 20th century. The name “Slav Defense” comes from this period, where a number of strong Slavic players were instrumental to the development of the theory behind 2. …c6. Chief among them were Seymon Alapin, Alexander Alekhine, and Efim Bogoljubov of Russia, and Milan Vidmar of Slovenia. 

Later, the opening gained favor with two Soviet world champions of the mid-20th century: Mikhail Botvinnik and Vasily Smyslov. More recently, Vladimir Kramnik employed the Slav Defense to good effect when playing with the Black pieces in his 2006 World Chess Championship match.

Related: The Supreme Soviet Series Chess Pieces - available from the USCF store.

The main idea of 2. …c6 is rather simple: to support the pawn on d5. 

Now, if White were to capture 3. cxd5, then Black could simply recapture 3. …cxd5, thus maintaining a pawn on d5. This is known as the Exchange Variation. It is less common than other third moves, but still the Slav Defense player must be ready to face it. Suffice to say, it scores quite well for Black.

Usually, White does not capture on d5 immediately, and instead holds the tension in the center. This is the best way for White to attempt to play for an advantage out of the opening, so this is also where we will put our focus for the rest of this article.

Thematic Ideas In The Slav Defense

As is the case with all chess openings, playing the Slav Defense successfully requires more than just move-by move memorization. It is also very helpful to have an awareness of the general ideas and plans for both colors in the middlegame.

Below are some of the most important thematic ideas for Black in the Slav Defense.

Development Of The Light-Squared Bishop

One of the main advantages of the Slav Defense (2. …c6) compared to the Queen’s Gambit Declined (2. …e6) is that Black’s light-squared bishop has greater potential to get into the game sooner. In the Queen’s Gambit Declined, the pawn on e6 blocks the light-squared bishop’s development - whereas in the Slav Defense, the bishop is free to move to a more active square - usually f5, or sometimes g4.

In the below position, White has played 4. e3, and Black is justified in playing 4. …Bf5.

From f5, the bishop occupies a useful diagonal and helps to fight against one of White’s main middlegame pawn breaks: the e4 advance.

However, Black must be careful about the light-squared bishop’s development! In the below position, White played 4. Nc3 instead of 4. e3 - and Black played the same move: 4. …Bf5. The position may look very similar, but there is an important difference!

White’s knight on c3 exerts pressure against d5, which White can ramp up with a move all Slav Defense players should keep an eye out for: Qb3!

The White queen threatens Qxb7 (which became undefended once Black’s light-squared bishop left its starting square). From b3, the queen also supports White’s threat to initiate a capture on d5. Allowing White to play Qb3 in circumstances such as this is to be avoided!

Initiating The Exchange On c4

Even though Black did not capture dxc4 on move two (as is the case in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted), they may still do so later.

One reason to make this trade is to resolve the pressure against d5. This can be a useful precursor to the Bf5 idea shown previously. Note that by capturing dxc4 first, White no longer has Qb3 - and so Bf5 can be safely played without any unpleasant pressure against b7.  Instead, White will need to spend time regaining their pawn with an eventual Bxc4.

Another reason for Black to capture dxc4 is to free the d5 square for their f6 knight to come to later. The following position has arisen dozens of times in master-level play, where Black is able to respond to White’s e5 advance with Nd5.

From here, the knight occupies a great central outpost. Note that since White’s c-pawn has been traded, the knight can never be kicked away from this square by a White pawn.

Related: Improve your positional understanding with Chess Strategy for Club Players by Herman Grooten, available from the USCF store.

The e5 / c5 Pawn Breaks

One drawback for Black of placing the pawn on c6 is that it takes away the queenside knight’s most natural developing square. Therefore, the knight instead goes to d7.

From this square, the knight can support a future e5 or c5 pawn break. Note that Black should complete development and castle their king before making either of these pawn advances.

Getting Started With Slav Defense

The Slav Defense has one of the deepest wells of opening theory in all of chess. You can expect your opponents with the White pieces to be well-prepared to face it. Mastering the Slav will come about through a combination of study and practical experience.

One of the best ways to further your education in the Slav Defense is to invest in a high-quality chess opening book. Our recommendation is Opening Repertoire - The Slav by Cyrus Lakdawala.

Thorough, well-researched and updated with the latest engine analysis - this book gives a full repertoire for Black against the Queen’s Gambit.

Related: The Best Books On Chess Openings For Advanced Players.

If you prefer learning in video format, then a great option is the Lemos Deep Dive DVD course. Once you have studied the 8+ hours of comprehensive video training from one of the world’s foremost chess instructors, you will certainly be ready to handle anything that White can throw at you. Click here to check it out!

Summary: Is The Slav Defense Right For You?

The Slav Defense is one of the safest and strongest defenses to the Queen’s Gambit. But does it suit your style as a chess player?

The Slav Defense could be a fine addition to your Black opening repertoire if you:

• Prefer to complete development quickly. The Slav Defense normally sees Black develop logically and castle their king early.
• Like to fight for key squares and prepare important pawn breaks. The Slav is quite positional in nature. Tactics are always possible, but usually appear later in the game.
• Enjoy playing the long game. Black’s chances in the Slav usually rely on slow, patient outmaneuvering of their opponent. 

If that sounds like the way you could comfortably meet the Queen’s Gambit with Black, then give the Slav Defense a try!

Frequently Asked Questions