Slav Defense
Black supports d5 with the c-pawn, leaving the light-squared bishop's diagonal open. White keeps central pressure; when Black moves the bishop, both sides should check the defense of b7.
Your plan as White
Maintain central pressure and choose a development scheme before trying to regain c4.
The opponent’s plan
Support d5 with ...c6 while keeping options for the light-squared bishop.
Watch out: Moving the bishop out changes the defense of b7: check White's queen pressure.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
Play three moves from the line you watched. Hints draw an arrow on the board. Complete a fresh attempt without hints or retries to pass.
Sign in to practiceComplete all 6 practices across both colors for one lesson completion. Replaying a completed lesson earns no additional leaderboard completion.
Name, background and sources
Alapin helped develop Slav theory. Its use in the Alekhine–Euwe world championship matches helped bring wider attention to the defense.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.