Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Nc3/4...a6

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< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. d4‎ | 1...d5‎ | 2. c4‎ | 2...c6‎ | 3. Nf3‎ | 3...Nf6‎ | 4. Nc3
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Slav Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6

a6 Slav[edit | edit source]

The move 4...a6 introduces the a6 (or Chebanenko or Chameleon) Slav. Though it seems a small move, it prepares ideas of ...b5 (either to attack White's c4 pawn or to shore up Black's after ...dxc4) and eases the problems of developing Black's light-squared bishop, as now Qb3 can be met with ...Ra7.[1] The weakening of the b6 square, however, invites White to simply push - 5. c5 is the most common response, but White can also play 5. e3, solidifying his d pawn and adding his light-squared bishop to the fight, while accepting 5...b5. Less common are 5. a4, preventing ...b5, and 5. cxd5, releasing the central tension but leaving Black to show what purpose ...a6 now serves.

Theory table[edit | edit source]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6

5 6
a6 Slav c5
Nbd7
Bf4
Nh5
+/=
c5
Bf5
Bf4
Nbd7
+/=
e3
b5
b3
Bg4
=
a4
e6
Bg5
Nbd7
=
cxd5
cxd5
Bf4
Nc6
=

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. Schandorff, Lars (2009). Playing the Queen's Gambit. Glasgow: Quality Chess UK LLP. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-906552-18-3.