Slav Defense, Slav Gambit & Alekhine Attack
Slav Defense
Definition
The Slav Defense is a family of openings that begins with the moves:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6
Black reinforces the d5–pawn with a flank pawn rather than the customary …e6 of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. By doing so, the light-squared bishop on c8 remains unobstructed, giving Black a solid yet flexible structure.
Typical Usage and Ideas
- Solid pawn chain: …c6–d5 forms a durable wall that is hard to undermine.
- Freeing the bishop: Because …e6 is delayed, Black can develop Bc8 to f5 or g4 before deciding on …e6.
- Counter-punching: In many variations Black captures on c4 (…dxc4) to provoke White’s center forward and target it later.
- Transpositional weapon: From the starting position Black can steer toward the Semi-Slav, the Czech Slav, the Exchange Slav, or even a Queen’s Gambit Declined if …e6 is eventually played.
Strategic and Historical Significance
First championed at the end of the 19th century by masters such as Schlechter and Alapin, the Slav became fully accepted after the 1920s thanks to grandmasters like Alekhine and Bogoljubow. It blossomed into one of the most reliable defenses against 1.d4 when World Champions Smyslov, Botvinnik, and later Kramnik and Anand adopted it regularly. Its reputation today is that of an opening that is simultaneously sound and combative.
Illustrative Main-Line Example
After 4…dxc4 Black temporarily gives up the center pawn. If White plays 5.a4, Black can defend the extra pawn with …Bf5 and …e6, reaching a position that has appeared in hundreds of elite games (e.g., Carlsen–So, Wijk aan Zee 2020).
Interesting Facts
- The Slav Defense is so evergreen that it has featured in matches involving every World Champion from Lasker to Carlsen.
- Bobby Fischer famously used it only once in a classical game (vs. Smyslov, 1965 Candidates), scoring a quick draw—yet his notes in “My 60 Memorable Games” praised it as “an excellent defense.”
- Computers also love the Slav: in the 1997 Kasparov vs. Deep Blue rematch, the machine chose a Semi-Slav setup in Game 4.
Slav Gambit
Definition
The term “Slav Gambit” most commonly refers to the Winawer Counter-Gambit line:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e5!?
Black immediately strikes at the center, inviting en passant complications and offering a pawn to accelerate development and unbalance the game.
How It Is Used
- If White accepts: 4.dxe5 d4 throws the knight off c3 and grabs space. Typical follow-up: …Nc6, …Nge7, and kingside castling with piece pressure on e5 and c4.
- If White declines: moves such as 4.e3 or 4.cxd5 allow Black equalization or active piece play with a free hand in the center.
- The gambit is a surprise weapon; it sidesteps the colossal theory of the main-line Slav and asks practical over-the-board questions.
Strategic & Historical Nuggets
- First introduced by Polish grandmaster Szymon Winawer (of French-Winawer fame) in the 1890s and later explored by Spielmann and Bronstein.
- Modern engines still give White a sliver of an edge after best play, but the positions are so sharp that even strong GMs use it in blitz and rapid to great effect—e.g., Mamedyarov, Grischuk, Rapport.
- The gambit can transpose into the Albin Counter-Gambit themes, with a black pawn barreling down to d3.
Sample Tactical Sequence
After eight moves the material is equal, but Black’s pieces are active and pressure both c4 and e2, illustrating the gambit’s practical sting.
Fun Facts
- Because it arises on move 3, the Slav Gambit is one of the earliest full-pawn sacrifices in mainstream opening theory.
- Despite its speculative look, it scores around 48 % for Black in modern master practice—remarkably high for a gambit.
Alekhine Attack (in the French Defense)
Definition
The Alekhine Attack—often called the Chatard-Alekhine Attack—occurs in the Classical French Defense:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4!
White sacrifices time (and sometimes material) to launch a direct kingside onslaught, aiming for moves such as Qg4, 0-0-0, and Bd3.
Typical Plans and Usage
- Pawn storm: h4–h5, followed by Qg4, f4, and sometimes Bxe7, sets up mating nets on h7.
- Exchange sacrifice ideas: Rxd5 or Rxf7 are thematic blows if Black is careless.
- Black’s antidotes: Immediate counterplay with …c5 or the prophylactic …h6 are common. After …h6 Bxe7 Qxe7 Black avoids the worst but concedes the bishop pair.
Historical Context
Alexander Alekhine used the attack to crush grandmasters in the 1920s—most famously vs. Rubinstein, Vienna 1922. Although theory has since tempered its force, the line remains a sharp anti-French system favored by tacticians like Tal, Short, and Shirov.
Model Game Snapshot
White’s pieces swarm toward Black’s king, illustrating the initiative White gains for minimal material investment.
Interesting Tidbits
- Alekhine’s original analysis recommended sacrificing both the h- and g-pawns to open files toward the king—decades before computer engines confirmed its soundness.
- Because play often becomes highly tactical by move 10, the Alekhine Attack is a popular choice in must-win situations, even at elite level (e.g., Short – Korchnoi, Manila 1990).
- The move 6.h4 is so committal that French specialists jokingly call it “pressing the thermonuclear button.”