Slav Defence

Pros

1. Solid Pawn Structure and Central Control The move 2... c6 strengthens Black's central d5 pawn, creating a solid pawn chain in the center (c6-d5) 2. Flexibility: Different arrangements can be chosen depending on White's plans.

3. Free Development of the Light-Square Bishop: The Slav Defense allows Black's light-squared bishop on c8 to develop freely, typically to f5 or g4.

4. FLong-term strategy: A solid pawn structure can be advantageous, especially in the endgame.

Cons

1. Potential for Passive Positions: In some variants of the Slav Defense, Black can remain in passive positions, especially if White manages to dictate the tempo of the game and control important squares

2.Slower Development: The first move ... c6, while supporting the d5 pawn and freeing the light-squared bishop, does not directly contribute to the development of Black's pieces. In addition, the c6 pawn can sometimes block the natural development square of the knight on b8 (to c6).

( ECO code D10-19 ): 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6

Black aims to develop his Queen's Bishop and protect c4-pawn after dxc4 and b5. White wants to occupy e4-square and get pawn majority in the center.

D10: Slav Defence, Exchange Variation: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5

D10: Slav Defence, Winawer Countergambit: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e5 Example games D10

D11: Slav Defence, 3.Nf3 sidelines: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3

D11: Slav Defence, 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4:    1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 Example games D11

D12: Slav Defence, 4.e3 Bf5:    1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 Example games D12

D13: Slav Defence, Classical Exchange Variation without ...Bf5: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 Example games D13

D14: Slav Defence, Classical Exchange Variation main line: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 Example games D14

D15: Slav Defence 4.Nc3 a6:    1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 Example games D15

D15: Slav Defence 4.Nc3 dxc4 gambit lines: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4

D16: Slav Defence, Smyslov System: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Na6

D16: Slav Defence, Bronstein System: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bg4 Example games D16

D17: Slav Defence, 5...Bf5 sidelines: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 Example games D17

D17: Slav Defence, Carlsbad Variation: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 Example games D17

D17: Slav Defence, Wiesbaden Variation: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.f3

D18: Slav Defence, Euwe Variation without Qe2:    1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3

D19: Slav Defence, Euwe Variation 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 Example games D19