D10
Slav Defense
Key moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
The Slav Defence is a solid response to the Queen's Gambit where Black defends d5 with ...c6. Unlike the QGD, the light-squared bishop isn't blocked. It leads to positions that are both solid and dynamic.
History & Notable Players
Has been a cornerstone of chess theory since the early 20th century. Euwe, Smyslov, and many modern grandmasters have relied on it.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
D11 - Slav Defense: Modern Line1103D12 - Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Landau Variation690D13 - Slav Defense: Exchange Variation268D14 - Slav Defense: Exchange Variation, Symmetrical Line192D15 - Slav Defense: Geller Gambit881D16 - Slav Defense: Alapin Variation222D17 - Slav Defense: Czech Variation498D18 - Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Classical System183D19 - Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch Variation253
Best Games
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
13th Norway Chess 2025 2025Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 2024Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 2024Notable
Abasov,N vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 2024Notable
Radjabov,T vs Grischuk,A1-0
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open 2023Notable
Carlsen,M vs Duda,J1-0
8th Norway Chess 2020 2020Notable
Caruana,F vs Duda,J1-0
8th Norway Chess 2020 2020Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1-0
6th Norway Chess 2018 2018Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
79th Tata Steel GpA 2017Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2016 2016Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 2016Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P1-0
4th Sinquefield Cup 2016 2016Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 2014Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 2014Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014 2014Notable
Aronian,L vs Navara,D1-0
41st Olympiad Open 2014 2014Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
41st Olympiad Open 2014 2014Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
4th London Chess Classic 2012Notable
Kramnik,V vs Aronian,L1-0
40th Olympiad Open 2012Notable
Kramnik,V vs Gelfand,B0-1
20th Amber Blindfold 2011Notable