What is the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack?

The Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. 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, Krause Attack?

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. After these moves it is black to move.

What variations come from the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack?

Named continuations include Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Wiesbaden Variation, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack, Fazekas Gambit, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Wiesbaden Variation, Sharp Line, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation. There are 5 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 · ECO D17

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Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. It is classified D17 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black 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.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack?: The Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. 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, Krause Attack?: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack good for beginners?: Players who want the solidity of the Queen's Gambit Declined without locking in the light-squared bishop.
What variations come from the Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack?: Named continuations include Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Wiesbaden Variation, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack, Fazekas Gambit, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Wiesbaden Variation, Sharp Line, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation. There are 5 named variations reachable from this position in total.