Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...dxc4
Appearance
Slav Defence | |
---|---|
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 |
3...dxc4
[edit | edit source]This move captures the gambit pawn. Since White's Knight on c3 is exposed to attacks by Black's b-pawn, black can often safely over-extend with moves like a6 and b5 to keep ahold of the c-pawn in this line. This move is lesser seen than the main line 3. Nf6. From here, white has several replies:
- e4 - The most common reply, White gains a significant space advantage in the center but White's c3 knight loses access to e4 as a retreating square.
- e3 - Slightly less common, White still advances in the center, but keeps the e4 square open for the c3 knight to retreat to.
- a4 - Uncommon, white prevents Black's ...b5, but allows black to fight in the center with e5. Black tends to do well in this variation.
- Nf3 - Uncommon, white focuses on development with their g1 knight.
There is a trap following 4.e3 b5, where the move 5. Nxb5?, trying to exploit the h1-a8 diagonal is a mistake which gives black the advantage after 5...cxb5 6.Qf3 Qc7! 7.Qxa8 Bb7 as white has to sacrifice material in order to avoid black winning the Queen.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3.Nc3 dxc4
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Eval |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
e3
b5 |
a4
b4 |
Ne4
Qd5 |
Nd2
c3 |
Bxc3
Bxc3 |
+/= |
...
... |
Nxb5?
cxb5 |
Qf3
Qc7 |
Qxa8
Bb7 |
Qxa7
e5 |
-/+ |
e4
b5 |
a4
b4 |
Nb1
Ba6 |
Qc2
Qxd4 |
Nf3
Qb6 |
= |
...
... |
...
... |
Na2
Nf6 |
e5
Nd5 |
Bxc4
e6 |
= |
...
... |
...
... |
Nce2
e6 |
Nf3
Ba6 |
Bf4
Nf6 |
= |
a4
e5 |
dxe5
Qxd1+ |
Kxd1
Be6 |
e4
Na6 |
f4
Rd8+ |
= |
Nf3
b5 |
a4
b4 |
Ne4
Nf6 |
Nxf6+
exf6 |
e4
Qe7 |
= |