Slav: 3.Nf3 Bf5

Slav: 3.Nf3 Bf5

Definition

The line Slav: 3.Nf3 Bf5 refers to the position arising after the moves
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Bf5.
It is an early-bishop development system within the Slav Defense (ECO code D11) where Black places the king’s-bishop outside the pawn chain before locking it in with …e6. This single tempo shapes the character of the entire opening, giving Black active piece play at the cost of leaving the b7-pawn and c6-d5 complex slightly tender in the early middlegame.

Typical Move Order & Transpositions

The most common continuation is:

1. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Bf5
2. 4. Nc3 Nf6 (4…e6 is also possible, heading for a Carlsbad structure)
3. 5. Qb3 Qc8 (a thematic device to guard b7 without losing tempo)

From here the game can transpose to:

• The a6-Slav after …a6 and …e6.
• The Ilyin-Zhenevsky System if White plays Nc3, e3, Bd3 and Black meets it with …e6 and …dxc4.
• Queen’s Gambit Declined structures if Black later plays …e6 without capturing on c4.

Strategic Ideas

For Black

• Seize the light-squared initiative by placing the bishop on f5 or g4 before playing …e6.
• Maintain the solid Slav pawn triangle (c6–d5–e6) while avoiding the passive “bad bishop” syndrome common in the QGD.
• Watch the b7-pawn: if White hits it with Qb3, be ready for …Qc8, …Qb6, or …Qd7.
• Break in the center with …dxc4 followed by …b5 (Noteboom-style) or with …c5 if circumstances permit.

For White

• Exploit the slight loosening of Black’s queenside: pressure b7 and c6 via Qb3, Qb3-Nc3, or Ne5.
• Gain a tempo on the bishop with pawn advances g4 or Nh4 in some lines (though this is double-edged).
• Create an isolated d-pawn for Black by encouraging …dxc4 and later recapturing with the e-pawn.
• Choose between solid e3 set-ups (Carlsbad) or the sharper e4 thrust after Nc3 and f3.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The early …Bf5 idea was popularized in the 1920s by Czech and Russian masters such as Karel Opočenský and remains an important weapon at every level. While once considered slightly risky because of the Qb3 trick, modern engines show that Black can hold comfortably, and the line experienced a renaissance after the 2000s thanks to players like Alexander Grischuk and Fabiano Caruana.

Illustrative Example

The following short fragment highlights typical themes:

Key points:

• Black meets Qb3 with the flexible …Qb6 instead of the more common …Qc8.
• After the queen trade, Black’s minor pieces invade on b4 and c2, showing the latent activity of the …Bf5 system.

Famous Games

• Grischuk – Caruana, Dortmund 2014: a textbook performance where Black neutralized White’s initiative and later won with queenside expansion.
• Kramnik – Ivanchuk, Linares 1993: demonstrates how White can exploit an unprepared …Bf5 with early Ne5 and f3–e4.

Common Pitfalls

• Ignoring Qb3: If Black casually develops, 4.Qb3 can win the b7-pawn or force an awkward …Qc7 followed by Bf4.
• Premature …dxc4: Playing …dxc4 without support allows 5.e4! and rapid central occupation by White.
• Blocking the bishop: After …Bf5, an early …e6 traps Black’s own bishop if White pushes Nh4 or g4 at the right moment.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• In pre-engine days, many players believed the line was refuted by the simple Qb3 trick, but Opočenský famously replied, “Show me how you win the endgame!”—a reminder of the variation’s latent solidity.
• Magnus Carlsen used 3…Bf5 in several blitz and rapid games to surprise opponents expecting the more theoretical 3…Nf6 lines.
• The move 3…Bf5 sometimes transposes to the London System in reverse when White plays Bf4 and e3, leading Gary Lane to dub one setup “Double London.”