Slav Defense

Bulletproof structure meets active piece play. Solid and dangerous.

One of Black's most reliable defenses to the Queen's Gambit. The key idea: c6 supports d5 while keeping the light-squared bishop free to develop to f5 — unlike the Queen's Gambit Declined where e6 traps it.

• ◆c6 supports d5 without blocking the c8 bishop
• ◆The bishop develops to f5 BEFORE playing e6
• ◆dxc4 grabs the pawn in the main line, with Bf5 to follow
• ◆The Semi-Slav (c6 + e6) maximizes solidity at the cost of the bishop
• ◆a4 prevents b5 in the main line
• ◆The Exchange Slav leads to a minority attack structure