D18

Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Classical System

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

Topalov,V vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
WCh Playoffs • 2006★ Notable
Solomon,K vs Grischuk,A0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2003★ Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Linares • 1993★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Biel • 1989★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Biel Interzonal • 1985★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1981★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander1/2-1/2
World Championship 17th • 1937★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander0-1
World Championship 17th • 1937★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander1-0
World Championship 17th • 1937★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Inarkiev,E1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 • 2014
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1-0
VI World Blitz • 2010
Carlsen,M vs Caruana,F1-0
VI World Blitz • 2010
Topalov,V vs Lodhi,M1-0
39th Olympiad Men • 2010
Topalov,V vs Wang Yue1/2-1/2
18th Amber Rapid • 2009
Karjakin,Sergey vs Wang Yue1/2-1/2
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009
Ivanchuk,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
World Blitz • 2007

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