Openings 1.d4 d5: closed games
Slav Defense and Semi-Slav: Main Lines and Stats by Rating
2...c6 defends d5 with a pawn and keeps the c8 bishop free to come out to f5 or g4. It is as solid as the Queen’s Gambit Declined without the bad-bishop problem.
D10Slav Defense
Games from this position (1600–1999): 85k
- 1.
- 2.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56% | 47k | ||
| 17% | 15k | ||
| 13% | 11k | ||
| 9% | 7,455 | ||
| 2% | 1,295 | ||
| 1% | 1,186 | ||
| 1% | 913 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Nf3, Nc3 and e3 are the main moves; a4 stops ...b5 in the main line.
- The Exchange Slav (cxd5 cxd5) is simple and drawish.
- Against the Semi-Slav (...e6), be ready for sharp lines like the Meran.
Black
- Play ...Nf6, then ...dxc4 and ...Bf5 (main Slav), or ...e6 (Semi-Slav).
- In the Semi-Slav, ...dxc4 and ...b5 gain queenside space.
- Keep the c8 bishop active: that is the whole point of ...c6.
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Slav and Semi-Slav at each rating
How often the position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 11k0.4% | 3.Nc343% | |
| 1200–1599 | 45k0.8% | 3.Nc351% | |
| 1600–1999 | 85k1.3% | 3.Nc356% | |
| 2000+ | 36k1.8% | 3.Nc348% | |
| All | 177k1.0% | 3.Nc352% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
Black takes on c4 and develops the bishop to f5. White wins the pawn back with e3 and Bxc4.
1,182 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 7% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5Symmetrical and open. Easy for both sides; often drawn at high level.
25k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5Black gains space with ...b5 and plays ...Bb7 and ...c5.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5Black gets the bishop out before ...e6. Watch for Qb3 hitting b7.
1,860 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 8% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5
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At club level
The Slav is a popular “one line against 1.d4” choice at club level. Most White players answer 3.Nf3 or 3.Nc3, and the main lines are easier to learn than they look.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Queen’s Pawn Game: 1.d4 d5
1.d4 d5
- Queen’s Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4
- London System
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
- Queen’s Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
- Queen’s Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
- Colle System
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3