Slav Defense, Modern Defense & Bonet Gambit
Slav Defense
Definition
The Slav Defense is one of Black’s most reliable and time-tested answers to 1.d4. It arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 and belongs to the family of Closed Games. Instead of defending the center pawn on d5 with …e6 (as in the Queen’s Gambit Declined), Black fortifies it by playing …c6. This keeps the light-squared bishop on c8 unblocked and leads to positions that are solid yet flexible.
Typical Move-order
- 1.d4 d5
- 2.c4 c6
- 3.Nf3 Nf6
- 4.Nc3 dxc4 (the main line) → Black temporarily gives up the center to obtain harmonious piece play.
Strategic Themes
- The Minority Attack: In many Slav structures White plays b2–b4–b5 to undermine Black’s queenside pawns.
- The Carlsbad Structure: When the c-pawn is exchanged, typical plans revolve around pawn breaks with e3–e4 or f3–e4.
- Development vs. Structure: Black often delays …e6 to keep the bishop on the long diagonal, but must not fall too far behind in development.
Historical Significance
The Slav became popular after the 1920s thanks to players such as Alekhine, Botvinnik and later the Soviet school. World Champions from Euwe to Carlsen have all kept the opening in their repertoires, so its pedigree is unimpeachable.
Illustrative Game
Geller – Keres, USSR Championship, Moscow 1950 (notes abridged)
Interesting Facts
- Because the Slav keeps the c8-bishop free, some grandmasters jokingly call it the “anti-French”—the French Defense’s problem bishop is nowhere to be seen here.
- In the early 2000s the “Chebanenko” line 4…a6 became a surprise weapon before turning into mainstream theory.
Modern Defense
Definition
The Modern Defense is a hypermodern opening characterised by Black’s fianchetto of the dark-squared bishop with 1…g6 and 2…Bg7. A canonical move-order against 1.e4 is 1…g6 2.d4 Bg7, after which Black often strikes in the centre with …d6, …c5 or …e5. Black allows White to build a broad centre and then tries to undermine it.
Key Systems and Ideas
- Flexible Pawn Breaks: Depending on White’s setup, Black chooses between …d6–…e5, …c5, or even …f5.
- King Safety: Black usually castles kingside quickly; the fianchettoed bishop is an important defender.
- Transpositional Weapon: The Modern can transpose into the Pirc, King’s Indian, or even the Benoni structures.
Historical Notes
Although the Modern was experimented with by the likes of Tartakower and Grünfeld in the 1920s, it truly blossomed in the second half of the 20th century. Tony Miles, Colin McNab and later Grandmasters such as Ian Rogers and Richard Rapport have all produced notable victories with it.
Example Game
Miles – Browne, Tilburg 1985
Interesting Facts
- In 1975 Tony Miles famously used 1…g6 to defeat World Champion Anatoly Karpov in a simultaneous exhibition.
- The opening complements players who enjoy unbalanced, strategic fights rather than long forcing lines.
Bonet Gambit (Modern Bonet Gambit)
Definition
The Bonet Gambit—sometimes called the Modern Bonet Gambit—is an aggressive sideline of the Modern Defense. A common move-order is:
- 1.e4 g6
- 2.d4 Bg7
- 3.Nc3 c5
- 4.dxc5 Bxc3+
- 5.bxc3 Nf6
Black gives up a pawn (sometimes two) in return for rapid development, open lines for the bishops, and pressure on the dark squares around White’s king.
Strategic Objectives
- Piece Activity Over Material: Black’s bishops on g7 and c8 target the long diagonals, while knights often jump to g4 or e4.
- Disrupted Pawn Structure: After …Bxc3+ and …dxc5, White’s queenside pawns are doubled and isolated, offering Black long-term chances.
- Early Queen Raids: The queen frequently lands on a5 or b6, eyeing c3, f2 and b2.
Historical Background
The line is named after the Spanish Catalan master Alfonso Bonet, who analysed it in the late 1940s. It never reached mainstream popularity, but it remains a favourite of club players who enjoy tactical melees and of correspondence aficionados who believe computer prep can keep Black’s compensation alive.
Illustrative Miniature
Kotronias – Mladenović, Internet Blitz 2020
Interesting Tidbits
- Because Black’s light-squared bishop is often exchanged early, some theoreticians quip that the gambit is “one bishop short of a Dragon.”
- Engines initially dislike Black’s position (–0.70 or so) but the evaluation often swings once concrete tactics are calculated several plies deeper.
- IM Cyrus Lakdawala once remarked that “if you don’t mind a little smoke in the kitchen, the Bonet is your recipe.”