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

Slav Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/8/2pP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR w
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4

3...dxc4

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

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	=