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.

Best Games

Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Abasov,N vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Grischuk,A1-0
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Duda,J1-0
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Duda,J1-0
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1-0
6th Norway Chess 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
79th Tata Steel GpA • 2017★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Rapport,R1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P1-0
4th Sinquefield Cup 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Navara,D1-0
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
4th London Chess Classic • 2012★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Aronian,L1-0
40th Olympiad Open • 2012★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Gelfand,B0-1
20th Amber Blindfold • 2011★ Notable

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