Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3

Slav Defence Slav defence D10 3. Nc3 This move develops a piece and bears more pressure on d5. Due to this, it also makes 3...Bf5 a grave mistake due to 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Qb3, winning a pawn. If then 5...Qb6, 6. Nxd5! Qxb3 7. axb3 wins the d pawn. If instead 5...Nf6 to protect the d-pawn, 6. Qxb7 Nbd7 7. Nf3 Rb8 8. Qxa7 wins two. In general, if Black can safely play Bf5 and e6 in the Slav, Black equalizes. The c3-knight also bears pressure on e4, allowing for a potential e4 pawn-push in the future. /3...Nf6/ is Black's most common reply by far. White's play typically transposes into a semi-slav with 4. Nf3, although some unique lines exist where Nf3 is delayed or not played at all. /3...dxc4/ followed by 4...b5 is also frequently played, as the c3 knight is vulnerable to a b7-b5-b4 advance allowing Black good queenside counter-play after White's gambited c-pawn is captured. /3...e5/, the Winawer Countergambit, is rarely seen from Black in high-level games. Black gambits their e-pawn for faster development, but usually falls behind in development after recapturing the pawn. Theory table . Slav defence 3...dxc4 4. e3 b5 5. a4 b4 6. Ne4 Qd5 + 3...Nf6 4. Nf3 Semi-Slav 3...e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 Winawer Countergambit 3...e5 4. dxe5 d4 5. Ne4 Qa5+ 6. Bd2 Qxe5 + 3. ... ... 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. dxe5 d4 6. Ne4 Qa5+ + References Slav Defence