Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3
4… dxc4+0.39
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation (D15), reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… dxc4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.39).
Top engine moves
- +0.394… dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Nbd7 8. O-O Bb4 9. Nh4
- +0.404… e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O
- +0.434… g6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3 Nh5 9. Be5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation?
After 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… dxc4 for Black, continuing 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Nbd7 8. O-O Bb4 9. Nh4. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 4… e6 (+0.40) and 4… g6 (+0.43).
Is the Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.39: 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: Three Knights Variation?
D15. 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+).