The Slav Defense reaches a named position after 2 moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6
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
- Develop Bf5 before ...e6 when safe.
- Use ...dxc4 only with a plan to challenge e4.
- Break with ...c5 or ...e5.
Position details
The defining move is c6.
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 3