Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, 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, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on c6, knight on f6, pawn on d5.
Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3. It is classified D15 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.
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. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation?
The Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3. It is classified D15 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: Three Knights Variation?
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Slav Defense: Three Knights Variation 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: Three Knights Variation?
Named continuations include Semi-Slav Defense, Slav Defense: Chebanenko Variation, Slav Defense: Schlechter Variation, Slav Defense: Süchting Variation, Slav Defense: Two Knights Attack. There are 40 named variations reachable from this position in total.