Slav Defense Theory: Main Line

The Slav Defense is one of the most common defenses to d4, more specifically, to the Queen’s Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4). White offers the c4 pawn in exchange for central control if it’s taken, and black has a choice to make. He can take it, accepting the gambit, or he can defend his d5 pawn which has been attacked with c4. Defending it with pawns is the only sensible option since playing Nf6, and allowing cxd5 Nxd5 would be met with e4, expanding in the center with tempo.

The main line of the Slav Defense starts at the crossroads in the position which happens when white plays Nc3 on move 4. Black can now choose several different variations. The main line Slav is the move dxc4, taking the c4 pawn, and accepting the Queen’s Gambit with delay.

Black does this in order to be able to develop his c8 bishop before he plays e6 and closes it in without allowing white to play cxd5 and Qb3, which would be almost winning if black just went for Bf5 on move 4 (and if Bf5 worked the position would be strategically much better for black and chess theory would crumble).

White can respond to that plan in several different ways. The most common is simply playing a4, the Alapin variation. A4 has an obvious idea of preventing the move b5 from black, thus preventing the defense of the c4 pawn, which can be safely retaken later on.

Instead of a4, white has several quite different approaches to the position. Among them the most interesting ones are e4, the Geller Gambit, which is unsound but could lead to very exciting positions, and e3, the Alekhine Variation. The latter is very good for white because it leads to tactical positions which resemble a Semi-Slav, and in which every tempo counts!

The main line Slav is a very theory heavy opening. It will be hard to learn, and almost impossible to master due to the shear quantity of theory, but if you get good at it, you will have gained an extremely powerful weapon in your repertoire against d4.

#chess

[nicholasbrassard]

6:25 5.a4 Alapin variation
- 8:08 13:07 5...Bf5 Czech variation (6.Nh5 14:05, 6.Ne5 16:35, 6.e3 20:20)
- 10:20 5...e6 Soultanbeieff variation
- 9:17 5...Bg4 Steiner variation
- 11:30 5...Na6 Smyslov variation
22:00 5.e4 Geller Gambit
24:05 5.e3 Alekhine Variation
27:15 5.g3
29:12 5.Ne5

[nomekop]

Nothing says chess like a 32 minute video and a 7 part playlist, all about the slav defense. I love this channel, community, and game

[joeperry]

I'm a Slav player and I cannot tell you how often I come back to this video time and again - It is just such a fantastic resource.

I just beat a 1945 player on Lichess in a game played in the slav- he was a better in the opening because I didn't know Qc7 in the 6. NxC4 variation of the Czech

On my level (1700-1800 lichess) people almost universally either don't play A4, or they play it a move too late - I've not played a game that went more than six moves into the alapin theory.

Unbelievable resource. I really love what you do.

[ajfirecracker]

5... Ba6 wow Smyslov was quite the player! I can't even play that move

[youricortat]

7:00 Rxa5 instead :)

That's interesting, because I begin to understand why it is sometimes better to calculate moves without looking at the board and this one is a nice example.

[eduardopereiraconcursos]

Bro, your channel is absolute amazing, please keep going.

[squalematic]

I love your opening series! I think you're fantastic at breaking down complicated topics and explaining them in a highly understandable way. My favorite channel!

[tastybrain]

This is why I subscribe to HP. I’m only five minutes in, and I already know the key principle about the main line.

[tazbod]

Great channel Tomic. You break things down clearly and thoroughly. Thank you.

[Bencinematographer]

Bro, your channel is absolute amazing, please keep going learning alot

[JosephLachh]

I really appreciate your videos. I'm a caro kann player and I needed a repertoire against the queens gambit. I really didn't want to spend money on a separate course, since I bought the Gothamchess caro course already. This proves helpful!

[robevans]

Love the Ramones poster! And your chess knowledge!

[mauriziomarano]

It's an excellent introduction to the main line of Slav defence, thanks!

[henriquea]

That was a great explanation! Please, make a training game on the Czech variation

[cccrit]

really a great resource for someone whose been wanting to learn the slav. thankyou

[Hybridman]

Thanks for the superb coverage of this fascinating defense!

[ethan]

Excellent video, Stjepan! I have been studying this opening for a couple weeks and this is one of the best studies of the mainline I have seen. I think I agree with your Bf5 recommendation. Well done and thank you.

[PphDsm]

Many thanks. You are an excellent teacher!

[khaledelalmi]

Most underrated chess chanel on youtube... Thank you for all you do

[andreitiberiovicgazdovici]

Thanks for this video, you helped me a lot! I Faced a lot the Alapin Variation with 5.a4 but Now i understand it! As you said, If you choose the "pure" slav there is a lot of theory, but i like this variation the most by far.