What Slav Defense: Modern Line puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on d4; Black has central pawns on d5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
What White is trying to build
Develop naturally while preserving pressure on d5.
Use cxd5 or e4 only when the resulting centre suits the pieces.
How Black challenges it
Develop the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain when the move order allows.
Prepare …c5 or …e5 to free the position.
The tactical pattern to recognise
The c4 pawn can be taken, but holding it may cost development.
Breaks on c5 and e5 determine whether Black’s position stays cramped.
What to check before committing
Winning c4 and then spending too many tempi defending it.
Closing in the c8 bishop without a route back into the game.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Move orders
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf31.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 g61.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bg4 5.Bg2 e6 6.O-O1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 Bg4 5.O-O Nbd7 6.c4
Related variations
- Slav Defense: Alapin Variation
- Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation
- Slav Defense: Bonet Gambit
- Slav Defense: Breyer Variation
- Slav Defense: Chebanenko Variation
- Slav Defense: Czech Variation
- Slav Defense: Diemer Gambit
- Slav Defense: Exchange Variation
- Slav Defense: Geller Gambit
- Slav Defense: Quiet Variation
- Slav Defense: Schlechter Variation
- Slav Defense: Slav Gambit