Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Slav Indian
Slav or Indian: Black has not decided yet
- Solid
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Black plays 2…c6. The pawn prepares …d5 and a Slav Defence, but Black keeps the choice open: after …d6 an Old Indian or King's Indian set-up is possible. In practice it is most often a way to reach Slav positions by another move order. People choose it to step off the best-trodden paths at once.
3…d5
Moves
(6 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
2…c6 — the choice is postponed
The move that keeps two roads open
The c6 pawn serves …d5 and also keeps a reserve. If Black plays …d5, a Slav Defence results. If …d6, the game heads for Old Indian or King's Indian paths. White usually allows it with Nc3 or Nf3, but can sidestep with 3.Bf4.
Tabiya
The Slav Defence by a side road
A Slav Defence has appeared with …Nf6 already played. Black holds the centre with pawns on c6 and d5, and White develops and thinks about pressure on the c-file. What comes next depends on whether Black takes on c4 or shuts the centre with …e6.
White’s plan
- Develop the knights and see what Black commits to.
- Switch roads when it suits: Bf4, Qb3 or e4.
- Press on the c-file and keep the space.
Black’s plan
- Play …d5 and transpose to a Slav Defence.
- Or choose …d6 for an Indian set-up.
- Widen the game on the queenside with …b5 and …a5.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet