Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...dxc4

Slav Defence
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4

3...dxc4

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This move captures the gambit pawn. Since White's Knight on c3 is exposed to attacks by Black's b-pawn, black can often safely over-extend with moves like a6 and b5 to keep ahold of the c-pawn in this line. This move is lesser seen than the main line 3. Nf6. From here, white has several replies:

  • e4 - The most common reply, White gains a significant space advantage in the center but White's c3 knight loses access to e4 as a retreating square.
  • e3 - Slightly less common, White still advances in the center, but keeps the e4 square open for the c3 knight to retreat to.
  • a4 - Uncommon, white prevents Black's ...b5, but allows black to fight in the center with e5. Black tends to do well in this variation.
  • Nf3 - Uncommon, white focuses on development with their g1 knight.

There is a trap following 4.e3 b5, where the move 5. Nxb5?, trying to exploit the h1-a8 diagonal is a mistake which gives black the advantage after 5...cxb5 6.Qf3 Qc7! 7.Qxa8 Bb7 as white has to sacrifice material in order to avoid black winning the Queen.

Theory table

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1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3.Nc3 dxc4

4 5 6 7 8 Eval
e3

b5

a4

b4

Ne4

Qd5

Nd2

c3

bxc3

bxc3

+/=
...

...

Nxb5?

cxb5

Qf3

Qc7

Qxa8

Bb7

Qxa7

e5

-/+
e4

b5

a4

b4

Nb1

Ba6

Qc2

Qxd4

Nf3

Qb6

=
...

...

...

...

Na2

Nf6

e5

Nd5

Bxc4

e6

=
...

...

...

...

Nce2

e6

Nf3

Ba6

Bf4

Nf6

=
a4

e5

dxe5

Qxd1+

Kxd1

Be6

e4

Na6

f4

Rd8+

=
Nf3

b5

a4

b4

Ne4

Nf6

Nxf6+

exf6

e4

Qe7

=