Slav Defense

ECO D10–D19 Black's defense Intermediate

Black declines the c4 pawn and supports d5 with ...c6. Black gets a solid center without blocking the bishop on c8.

Black

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White

Explanation

#	White	Black
1	d4	d5
2	c4	c6

Keep the d5 pawn in the center with support from c6. Bring the c8 bishop out to f5 or g4 before playing ...e6, then castle.

Once the bishop leaves c8, the b7 pawn can become weak. Watch out for White's queen coming to b3 to attack b7.