From Mark Weeks,
Your Guide to Chess.
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The Slav Defense -- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, shown in the diagram -- is the opening of World Champions. It was used regularly by Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik, and Smyslov, and is in Vladimir Kramnik's arsenal. The idea is to protect the d-Pawn without blocking the Queen Bishop as in 2...e6. The name pays tribute to analysis by masters of Slavic descent, Alekhine and Bogoljubov among them.

The most common continuation is 3.Nf3 Nf6, when White has several major options.

• 4.Nc3, is the most popular move. Now it is Black's opportunity to steer the game in different directions.
  • 4...e6, leads to the Semi-Slav with 5.e3 Nbd7, or the Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD) with 5.Bg5. This tutorial covers the Semi-Slav (ECO D45-49), but not the QGD.
  • 4...dxc4 is the most critical line of the Slav proper (D15-19). White usually continues 5.a4, but 5.e3 and 5.e4 are possible.
  • 4...a6 is a waiting move which leaves Black's options open..
    
    
• 4.e3 (D12) prepares the immediate recapture with the Bishop if Black plays ...dxc4.
  
  
• 4.cxd5 cxd5 is the Exchange Variation (D13-14), which often continues 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4.
  
  
• 4.Qc2 and 4.Qb3 avoid the main lines.

The move 3...e6 usually transposes into one of the main lines. For example, 4.Nc3 Nf6 is the Semi-Slav.

White can vary with 3.Nc3 (D10), which allows Black to pursue lines with ...e5, a move rarely seen after 3.Nf3. Other third moves for White transpose to main lines; 3.cxd5 cxd5 leads to the Exchange Variation.