D19

Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Dutch 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 Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Del Rio de Angelis,S vs Aronian,L0-1
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Anand,V vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
WCh • 2008★ Notable
Leko,P vs Gelfand,B1-0
Tal Memorial • 2006★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Kramnik,V0-1
WCh • 2006★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2005★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Topalov, Veselin1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 1999★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 1999★ Notable
Dao Thien Hai vs Morozevich, Alexander1-0
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Linares • 1995★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
Amber-blind 4th • 1995★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Amber-rapid 4th • 1995★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Linares • 1994★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
PCA-World Championship • 1993★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Dortmund • 1992★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Gomez Baillo, Jorge H1-0
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1983★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
World Championship 27th • 1969★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable

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