17. Exchange Slav: symmetrical development with 6...Bf5
Black answers each White move with the same development, exchanges the Bishops on d3 and d6 and contests the c-file. The final position is equal and without weaknesses.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfc1 Rfc8
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White opens with the Queen's pawn: it occupies d4, controls e5 and c5 and prepares c4 to put pressure on the Black center.
- 1...d5 – Black answers symmetrically: the d5 pawn prevents e4 and claims its share of the center.
- 2.c4 – The Queen's Gambit: the c4 pawn attacks d5 and threatens cxd5, to take away Black's control of e4.
- 2...c6 – The Slav Defense: c6 supports d5 without blocking the diagonal of the c8 Bishop, which can come out to f5 or g4 before ...e6.
- 3.cxd5 – The Exchange Variation: White creates a symmetrical structure with the open c-file, hoping to exploit the extra tempo.
- 3...cxd5 – Black recaptures with the c-pawn: the structure stays symmetrical and the d5 pawn is solid, but the open c-file must be contested.
- 4.Nc3 – The Knight comes out to c3 and presses on d5: in the symmetry White seeks to develop faster.
- 4...Nf6 – The Knight defends d5 and controls e4: first of all Black covers its central point.
- 5.Nf3 – The Knight develops to f3 and controls e5: White prepares Bf4 and e3 with natural development.
- 5...Nc6 – The Knight comes out to c6, where it presses on d4 and controls e5 and b4: in this structure it is its natural square.
- 6.Bf4 – The Bishop comes out to f4 before e3, outside the pawn chain: it controls e5 and b8.
- 6...Bf5 – Black copies the move: its Bishop also comes out before ...e6 and stays active.
- 7.e3 – White protects d4 and opens the f1 Bishop, which can go to d3 or b5.
- 7...e6 – Black protects d5 and opens the f8 Bishop: with both Bishops outside the chain, the position is equal.
- 8.Bd3 – White offers to exchange the light-squared Bishops: it wants to take away Black's best piece.
- 8...Bxd3 – Black exchanges the Bishops: in the symmetry this exchange simplifies and leaves no weaknesses.
- 9.Qxd3 – The Queen recaptures on d3, where it controls e4 and b5 and is ready to switch to the queenside.
- 9...Bd6 – The Bishop goes to d6 and offers to exchange the dark-squared Bishops: it takes away White's control of e5.
- 10.Bxd6 – White exchanges the Bishops: only Queens, Rooks and Knights remain in a symmetrical position.
- 10...Qxd6 – The Queen recaptures and controls e5 and b4: all the Black pieces are developed.
- 11.O-O – White castles and prepares the Rook on c1 for the open file.
- 11...O-O – Black castles: it too will bring the f8 Rook to the c-file.
- 12.Rfc1 – The Rook occupies the c-file, the only open one: White wants to push first on the queenside.
- 12...Rfc8 – Black immediately contests the c-file: in a symmetrical position one must not leave it to the opponent.
How to exploit the position
Equal, symmetrical position: whoever uses the c-file and the b4 and c4 squares better wins.
- The c6 Knight can jump to b4, where it attacks the d3 Queen and the a2 square.
- With ...a6 and ...b5 gain space on the queenside and prepare ...Na5-c4.
- Double the Rooks on the c-file with ...Rc7 and ...Rac8, or exchange them to head for a safe draw.
- In the endgame the King goes to the center (...Kf8-e7): the symmetrical structure offers no targets to the opponent.
Master tips
The Exchange Variation without fear
In the Exchange Slav Black develops the Bishop to f5 before ...e6: with all pieces active, the symmetry gives White no advantage.