Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Nc3/4...dxc4/5. e4

Slav gambit D15 Slav accepted Geller gambit 5. e4 · Slav gambit White occupies the center with their pawns. In doing so, Black gets the chance to hold onto the c4-pawn with the move b5, expanding on the queenside. The main line continues 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. axb5 Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 after which Black has to ward off White's attack on the kingside. In practice, Black scores well in this line. This is also backed by computer evaluations, which tend to prefer Black. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. axb5 Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 The mainline of the Slav gambit. Black ends up with a passed pawn on the queenside. 1 A better try for White is to play 6. Be2, where White tries to castle quickly and chip away at Black's queenside pawns with moves like b3. Theory table 5...b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. axb5 Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 - 5... ... 6. Be2 References See also