ECO D16 · Slav Defense

Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Na6

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

6. e4+0.75

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation (D16), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Na6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. e4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.75).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.756. e4 Bg4 7. Bxc4 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. Be3 Nb4 10. a5 Bh5
  2. +0.536. e3 Be6 7. e4 Nb4 8. h3 a5 9. Be3 g6 10. Ne5 Nd7
  3. +0.026. Bf4 Bf5 7. e4 Bxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Bxc4 e6 10. O-O Nb4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Na6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. e4 for White, continuing Bg4 7. Bxc4 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. Be3 Nb4 10. a5 Bh5. White is slightly better (+0.75). The next best moves are 6. e3 (+0.53) and 6. Bf4 (+0.02).
Is the Slav Defense: Smyslov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.75: 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: Smyslov Variation?
D16. 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+).