Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7. White: knight on e5, pawn on d4, knight on c3, pawn on e3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, knight on d7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on e6, pawn on d5, bishop on f5.
Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7. It is classified D12 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.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation?
The Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7. It is classified D12 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: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Amsterdam Variation good for beginners?
Players who want the solidity of the Queen's Gambit Declined without locking in the light-squared bishop.