Playing ...e6 too early
That turns the Slav into a Queen’s Gambit Declined with the bishop locked in. Develop it first.
Opening guide · Black against 1.d4
How to play the Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
The Slav defends d5 with the c-pawn, so the light-squared bishop can leave before ...e6. In this repertoire it goes to g4 against White’s quiet setups.
- Lines to play
- 4
- Quiz positions
- 6
Learn the Slav Defense move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Bishop out before ...e6
- ...c6 keeps d5 solid without blocking c8. The bishop develops to g4 or f5, then ...e6 completes the chain.
Pin the f3 knight
- ...Bg4 against e3 setups pins the knight and stops an early e4 or Ne5.
Meet Qb3 calmly
- When White’s queen attacks b7, ...Qb6 offers a trade that leaves Black comfortable.
The Exchange is not a draw
- After cxd5 cxd5, Black develops with ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 and has equal chances in a symmetrical position.
The main lines
Slow Slav: 4.e3 Bg4
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.h3 Bh5 6.cxd5 cxd5
The bishop pins; after h3 it keeps the pin from h5.
4.e3 Bg4 5.Qb3
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Qb3 Qb6 6.Nc3 e6
White hits b7; ...Qb6 meets it head on.
Exchange: 3.cxd5 cxd5
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 Nc6 6.Nc3 Bg4
Symmetry; Black develops the queenside first.
Fianchetto: 4.g3 dxc4
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 g6 6.a4 Bg7
Against g3, Black takes on c4 and fianchettoes too.
Find the move
6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 6
1.d4 d5 2.c4
The ideaDefend d5 without blocking the bishop.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Forgetting b7
With the bishop gone from c8, Qb3 hits b7. Have ...Qb6 or ...Qc7 ready.
Releasing the pin cheaply
...Bxf3 gives White the bishop pair. Trade only when it gains something concrete, such as stopping e4.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Slav Defense?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each Black move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Slav Sentinel teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Slav Defense good for beginners?
Yes. The structure is solid, the bishop has a good square and the plans are similar against most White setups.
What is the difference between the Slav and the Semi-Slav?
In the Semi-Slav Black plays both ...c6 and ...e6 early, keeping the bishop on c8. The Slav develops the bishop first.
How does Black meet the Exchange Slav?
With natural development: ...Nf6, ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 or ...Bf5. The position is symmetrical and Black has equal chances.
Learn every line of the Slav Defense
The Slav Sentinel teaches it as a repertoire: 64 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up