Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit

The Slav Gambit is 3.Nf3 b5, an early try to keep the c4 pawn with the b-pawn. White hits back with a4 or b3 to break the chain, while Black backs up b5 with ...c6 or ...a6 and hopes the queenside pawns slow White down.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 b5
ECO
D21
Engine
+0.42 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
260 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.a4, the top engine move, then axb5 and Nc3 to pressure the b5 pawn.
  • The b3 lever attacks c4 and opens lines for the c1 bishop and queen.
  • Develop with e3 and Bxc4 once the pawn chain falls, then castle short.
  • Keep pressure on b5 with Nc3 and Qb3 when possible, tying Black's pieces down.

Black

  • Support b5 with ...c6; after axb5 cxb5 the queen comes to b6 to hold the pawn.
  • Use ...a6 and ...Bb7 to back up the queenside and aim at the center.
  • Develop ...e6 and ...Nf6 quickly; the extra pawn is less important than safety.
  • Avoid leaving the a8 rook loose once the a-file opens, since knight tactics appear.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's ...b5 grabs material, but White's a4 and b3 levers break the chain. In the top line 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6 7.b3 e6, White opens files and wins back the pawn. White aims for open queenside lines and better development. Black must hold the queenside with ...Qb6, ...a6 and ...Bb7, then develop the kingside. Compared with the Greco, White has not committed the e-pawn, so e3 and b3 are calmer ways to win c4 back.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.42: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.42 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6
  2. +0.27 4.e3 a6 5.a4 Bb7 6.b3 Nd7
  3. +0.01 4.e4 a6 5.a4 Bb7 6.Nc3 e6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

260 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.8%.

under 120061.2%
1200–159957.5%
1600–199950.6%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, play 4.a4 or e3 and b3 to undermine b5. Don't let Black settle with ...a6 and ...Bb7 unchallenged. As Black, support b5 with ...c6 or ...a6 and finish development fast. Do not count on keeping the extra pawn.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit?

The Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 b5. Its ECO code is D21.

Is the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.42 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 260 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.8%. A greedy, double-edged try that suits Black players who like material, but White gets easy targets on the queenside.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Gambit Accepted: Slav Gambit?

Black uses ...b5 to keep the c4 pawn. White responds with a4 and b3 to break the chain, while Black supports b5 with ...c6, ...Qb6 or ...a6 and must develop fast.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is a4, with e3 and e4 close behind. 4.a4 attacks b5 right away and prepares axb5 to open the a-file.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.