Current position
Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
The Slav Defense starts with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 and is catalogued under ECO D10, in the closed games half of the book. The catalog indexes 52 lines inside it, grouped into 43 named variations, and the position after those moves has 1 playable continuation to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Mirrors White’s central claim and prevents an easy e4 expansion.
Idea: Establish a firm center and develop behind the pawn chain.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Captures the pawn on c4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the queenside and reshape the center for the next phase.
Advances the a-pawn to gain queenside edge space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Develops the bishop to f5, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Repositions the knight to e5, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Improve the piece’s activity and support the next stage of the plan.
Develops the knight to d7, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Captures the pawn on c4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.
Repositions the queen to c7, where it influences a new part of the board.
Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.
Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Captures the pawn on e5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.
Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
Each line below is an indexed entry under Slav Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.
19 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Slav Defense.