Chess: Understanding the Slav Defense Part I

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 a6 Line



What’s the game plan for White?

White has two options in response to
Black’s 4 ... a6

Option 1

Allow Black to advance 5 ... b7-b5.

1 d4



1 ... d5



2 c4



2 ... c6



3 Nf3



3 ... Nf6




4 Nc3



4 ... a6



5 e3 b5




6 b3



Covering the c4 pawn from 6 ... bxc4.

6 … Bg4



7 Be2



In this variation, White sets up for a kingside
attack by posting his c1 bishop on b2 and
attaining the e5 outpost for his f3 knight.
The offensive is then given momentum
when the b2 bishop comes alive along
the a1-h8 diagonal following a timely
e3-e4 and d4-d5. Next, the c3 knight
and queen weigh in on the matter by
Nc3-e2-f4-h5-f6 and Qd1-g4 respectively.
Finally, after opening up the c-file
through cxd5, White brings his a1 rook
into the fray via Ra1-c1-c6-g6.

Option 2

Deny Black the opportunity to play 5 ... b7-b5.

1 d4



1 ... d5



2 c4



2 ... c6



3 Nf3



3 ... Nf6




4 Nc3



4 ... a6



5 a4



Although 5 a4 prevents 5 ... b5, it permits
Black’s f8 bishop to develop to b4 without
fear of attack from any of White’s pawns.
Alternatively, White can discourage
5 ... b7-b5 through 5 c5. The idea is to
threaten the b7 pawn with an en passant
capture, if and when it advances to b5.

5 c5



What’s the game plan for Black?



Black aims to play ... b7-b5 so as to get
counterplay on the queenside. If White
allows the ... b5 break, Black then proceeds
with Bc8-g4/Nbd7/Bf8-d6/Qd8-c7-b8 in an
attempt to vie for the e5 outpost. If he
deters ... b5 through 5 a4, Black usually
goes for 5 ... e6 with the idea of getting
the f8 bishop to b4. After 5 c5, Black
answers with either 5 ... Nbd7 or 5 ... Bf5.

Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Slav Defense
(Dutch Variation) Part II
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/09/chess-understanding-slav-defense-dutch.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav Part III
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-part-iii.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav Part IV
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-part-iv.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav Part V
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-part-v.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav Part VI
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-part-vi.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav
(Dutch Variation) Part VII
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-dutch.html
Chess: Understanding the Slav Part VIII
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/10/chess-understanding-slav-part-viii.html

1 d4



1 ... d5



2 c4



2 ... c6



3 Nf3



3 ... Nf6




4 Nc3



4 ... a6



Black signals his ambition to expand on the queenside
through 5 ... b5.

By ChessCoach@care2.com

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