8. Slav 4.e3 Bf5: the defense 6.Qb3 Qc8
After 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 the b7 pawn is attacked: 6...Qc8 defends it, controls the c-file and leaves the position solid.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc8 7.Nc3 e6
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.Nf3 – The Knight comes out toward the center, controls e5 and protects d4; White keeps the choice open between Nc3, e3 and the Exchange Variation.
- 3...Nf6 – The Black Knight controls e4 and defends d5 a second time: White cannot push e4 without preparation.
- 4.e3 – White protects c4 with the pawn and gives up Nc3: it is a quiet system that shuts in its c1 Bishop.
- 4...Bf5 – The Bishop comes out to f5 before ...e6 shuts it in: it now controls e4 and b1.
- 5.cxd5 – White exchanges on d5 to open the c-file and prepare Qb3, which will hit b7 now that the c8 Bishop has come out.
- 5...cxd5 – Black recaptures with the c-pawn: symmetrical structure, but the b7 pawn has been left without the Bishop's protection.
- 6.Qb3 – The Queen attacks b7, which the Bishop that came out to f5 no longer defends, and presses on d5.
- 6...Qc8 – The Queen defends b7 and the f5 Bishop and controls c7, the square where a White Knight could arrive from b5.
- 7.Nc3 – White develops the Knight, which presses on d5 and can jump to b5 to hit c7.
- 7...e6 – Black protects d5 and opens the f8 Bishop: it will complete development with ...Nc6, ...Be7 and ...O-O.
How to exploit the position
The position is equal: Black has the light-squared Bishop outside the chain and a structure without weaknesses.
- Complete development with ...Nc6, ...Be7 and ...O-O: the c8 Queen remains useful on the c-file.
- If White plays Nh4 against the f5 Bishop, retreat it to g6 or g4: do not let it be exchanged for free.
- The jump Nb5 is not dangerous as long as the Queen controls c7; the c6 Knight can go to a5 to attack the b3 Queen.
- With the Rook on c8 the c-file is yours: White still has the c1 Bishop shut in.
Master tips
The b7 pawn after ...Bf5
When the Bishop comes out to f5, the b7 pawn loses its defender and Qb3 attacks it: the Slav must always have an answer ready.