D16

Slav Defense: Alapin Variation

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

Aronian,L vs Svidler,P0-1
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Shirov,A1-0
Tal Memorial • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
19th Amber Blindfold • 2010★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
19th Amber Rapid • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Grischuk,A0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Navara,D vs Svidler,P1-0
37th Olympiad • 2006★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Leko,P vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
WCh • 2004★ Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Gretarsson, Helgi Ass1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 5th • 1996★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1992★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Petrosian, Tigran V0-1
Las Palmas Interzonal • 1982★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Riga Interzonal • 1979★ Notable
Keres, Paul vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable

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