Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5. White: pawn on a4, knight on c4, bishop on f4, knight on c3, pawn on g3, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, queen on d1, king on e1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, queen on c7, knight on d7, pawn on f7, pawn on h7, pawn on c6, knight on e5, bishop on f5, pawn on g5.
Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5. It is classified D17 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Slav Defense supports the d5 pawn with c6 rather than e6, which keeps the light-squared bishop free — the central point of the whole system, and the reason many players prefer it to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Strategic character
Black often follows with dxc4 and b5 to hold the pawn temporarily, gaining time to develop the bishop outside the pawn chain. The resulting positions are solid but less passive than the Declined, with the c8 bishop playing an active role.
Who should play it
Players who want the solidity of the Queen's Gambit Declined without locking in the light-squared bishop.
This line is a variation within the Slav Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation?
The Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5. It is classified D17 in the ECO system. The Slav Defense supports the d5 pawn with c6 rather than e6, which keeps the light-squared bishop free — the central point of the whole system, and the reason many players prefer it to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
What are the moves of the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 g5. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation good for beginners?
Players who want the solidity of the Queen's Gambit Declined without locking in the light-squared bishop.