Slav: 3.Nf3 dxc4

Before the first move

The Slav Defense is a rock-solid response to the Queen's Gambit, where Black uses the c6-pawn to bolster the center. In this variation, Black captures on c4 early, challenging White to prove they can recover the pawn while maintaining central control.

1. d4White · your move

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

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, establishing a classical presence. While alternatives like the Englund Gambit (e5) or the Dutch Defense (f5) are more provocative, this move is the most solid. It leads directly into the complex world of the Queen's Gambit.

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

2. c4White · your move

Bring your pawn to c4. You are offering a gambit to deflect Black's d5-pawn away from the center. If they take it, you will gain better control of the middle; if they defend it, you maintain pressure on their position.

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 incredibly solid and avoids the 'bad bishop' problem found in the Queen's Gambit Declined. Other tries like the Chigorin (Nc6) or the Austrian Defense (c5) lead to much sharper, less stable structures.

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 improving move that controls the e5 and d4 squares. It prevents Black from playing e5 and keeps your options open before you decide how to react to Black's setup.

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

3... dxc4Black

Black plays dxc4, accepting the gambit under different conditions now that the knight is on f3. This is a sharp turn. Black aims to challenge White's center immediately. White will usually respond with e3 or e4 to regain the pawn.

Other paths here: Bf5 (Slav: 3.Nf3 Bf5) · Bg4 (Slav: 3.Nf3 Bg4) · Nf6 (Slav: 3.Nf3 Nf6) · e6 (Semi-Slav Defense: Chigorin Defense)

Where you stand

The game has reached a critical junction where White must act to regain the c4-pawn. White usually plays e3 to attack c4 with the bishop, while Black may try to defend it with b5. This leads to a complex struggle where White has a better center but Black has an extra pawn and queenside prospects.

• e2-e3 Open the bishop to recover c4
• b7-b5 Defend the extra pawn on c4
• a2-a4 Undermine the black pawn chain
• g8-f6 Develop the knight and control e4