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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
D10 - Slav Defense753D11 - 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 Variation498D19 - Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch Variation253
Best Games
Topalov,V vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
WCh Playoffs 2006Notable
Solomon,K vs Grischuk,A0-1
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Ljubojevic,L vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2003Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd 1993Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Linares 1993Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Biel 1989Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Biel Interzonal 1985Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1981Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 20th 1954Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander1-0
World Championship 17th 1937Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander1/2-1/2
World Championship 17th 1937Notable
Euwe, Max vs Alekhine, Alexander0-1
World Championship 17th 1937Notable
Kramnik,V vs Inarkiev,E1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 2014
Carlsen,M vs Caruana,F1-0
VI World Blitz 2010
Aronian,L 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