Slav: 3.Nf3 Bg4

Before the first move

The Slav Defense is a rock-solid response to the Queen's Gambit, where Black uses the c-pawn to support the center. In this specific variation, Black develops the light-squared bishop early to g4, aiming to pin White's knight and create immediate pressure. You will learn how to balance central control with this active piece play.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims the center and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop. It is the foundation of most closed games, setting a deliberate pace for the struggle ahead.

1... d5Black

Black plays d5, meeting d4 head-on. This is the classical response, though players sometimes prefer the Horwitz Defense with e6 or even the sharp Englund Gambit with e5 to immediately disrupt White's plans.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Move your pawn to c4. This is the Queen's Gambit. You are offering a side pawn to lure Black's d-pawn away from the center, which would allow you to eventually dominate the middle with your e-pawn.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... c6Black

Black chooses the Slav Defense with c6. This is a very sturdy choice. Other popular responses include the Baltic Defense with Bf5 or the Marshall Defense with Nf6, but the Slav remains one of the most respected lines at all levels.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense) · Bf5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic Defense) · Nf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Zilbermints Gambit)

3. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This is a flexible move that controls the e5 square and prepares for kingside castling. It also avoids some of the sharper lines Black might try if you played Nc3 immediately.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Slav Defense) · e4 (Slav Defense: Diemer Gambit) · cxd5 (Slav Defense: Exchange Variation) · Bf4 (Slav: 3.Bf4)

3... Bg4Black

Black replies with Bg4, an ambitious line that develops the bishop outside the pawn chain. While Nf6 and e6 are more common, this move forces White to decide whether to ignore the pin or challenge the bishop immediately with Ne5 or Qb3.

Other paths here: Bf5 (Slav: 3.Nf3 Bf5) · dxc4 (Slav: 3.Nf3 dxc4) · Nf6 (Slav: 3.Nf3 Nf6) · e6 (Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense)

Where you stand

The position is tense and strategically rich. White often looks to exploit the absence of the bishop from the queenside by playing Qb3, while Black aims to maintain the pin or trade the bishop for the knight to weaken White's central control. Both sides must navigate the trade-offs between piece activity and pawn structure carefully.

• f3-e5 Jump to e5 to attack the bishop
• d1-b3 Pressure b7 while the bishop is away
• g4-h5 Preserve the bishop and the pin
• g8-f6 Develop the knight and prepare castling