ECO D10 · Slav Defense

Slav Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. Nf3+0.40

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Slav Defense (D10), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.403. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4
  2. +0.313. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Qb6 6. e3 Qxb2 7. Bb5+ Nc6
  3. +0.213. e3 Bf5 4. Qb3 Qc7 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bb5+ Nd7 7. Bd2 e6

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3
  • 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4

All Slav Defense variations (42)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Slav Defense?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nf3 for White, continuing Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4. White is slightly better (+0.40). The next best moves are 3. cxd5 (+0.31) and 3. e3 (+0.21).
Is the Slav Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.40: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Slav Defense?
D10. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; D is the volume for closed and semi-closed games.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).