Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Qc2

Slav Defence D11 4. Qc2 This move is a proper sideline of the Slav defence. White defends the c4-pawn and prepares e4 at the same time. Despite defending c4, it does not prevent its capture: 4...dxc4 is the main move in this position. After 4...dxc4 5. Qxc4 Black can safely develop the light-squared bishop before playing ...e6. White usually employs a kingside fianchetto. Qb3 is usually met with ...Qb6, recapturing with the a-pawn to open up the a-file if White takes. Instead of holding onto material equality, White can play the more aggressive 4...dxc4 5. e4. Black should protect their pawn with ...b5 whenever given the chance in the Slav and this position is no exception. White will chip away at Black's queenside with b3, since there is no knight on c3 that can be kicked by the pawns. The ensuing position is very delicate for Black, so good preparation is required. Black doesn't have to take the pawn however. 4...g6 prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop and has many similarities to the Grünfeld defence. White usually tries to develop the dark-squared bishop before closing up the pawn-chain with e3. Another popular response is 4...e6, which closely resembles a Semi-Slav defence. White commonly fianchettos on the kingside, after which 5...dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 allows Black to fianchetto their own light-squared bishop with tempo on the queen. Theory table 4. ... dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 4. ... ... 5. e4 b5 4. ... g6 5. Bf4 Bg7 4. ... e6 5. g3 dxc4 References