The Slav Defense: Exchange Variation reaches a named position after 3 moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5
In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then complete Practice without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.
If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related lines below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.
The idea behind this line
Black supports d5 with c6 while keeping the light-squared bishop free.
What to look for
- Increase pressure on d5.
- Use e3 or Qc2 to recover c4.
- Prepare e4 when Black's center allows it.
Position details
This line branches from Slav Defense with cxd5.
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3P4/3P4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3