Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. cxd5/3...cxd5/4. Nc3/4...Nf6

Slav defence D10 Exchange variation 4...Nf6 The most common move for Black. White now has to reveal their opening plan. /5. Bf4/ is the most common move, delaying Nf3 and developing the bishop. /5. Nf3/ is the second-most common move. This allows a completely equal position and is often used if playing for a draw, especially the variation 5...Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 /5. f3/ is the Boor attack, a rare sideline where White tries to take over the center by preparing e4. After both 5. Bf4 and 5. Nf3 Black can try to continue copying their opponent or break the symmetry with the waiting move 6...a6 (played after 5...Nc6). This is a multi-purpose move: it prevents White's light-squared bishop from developing to b5, pinning the knight, and it is useful as a waiting move. If White plays both Nf3 and e3, Black can usefully develop the light-squared bishop to g4 where it pins White's knight to the queen. Theory table 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8. Nge2 e6 5. ... ... 6. ... Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qe2 e6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Bd6 Boor attack 5. f3 Nc6 6. e4 dxe4 7. d5 Ne5 8. fxe4 e6 References