Chess Openings Lab
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Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation

The Alekhine Variation of the Slav comes after 4...dxc4 5.e3, where White guards d4 and plans to take back on c4 with the f1 bishop. Black can keep the extra pawn with 5...b5, while White attacks that pawn chain with a4 and hopes for a quick Bxc4.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e3
ECO
D15
Engine
−0.20 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
173 games in our lichess sample
White scores
61.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Answer ...b5 with a4 to hit the chain at once, as in 6.a4 b4 7.Nb1 Ba6 8.Be2.
  • If Black plays 5...Bf5 or 5...Bg4 instead, take back with Bxc4 and enjoy a clean lead in development.
  • Against a bishop on f5, the jump Nh4 hunts it down and wins the bishop pair.
  • After Nb1, the knight returns via d2 to recover the c4 pawn later.

Black

  • 5...b5 is the engine's choice, keeping the c4 pawn and gaining queenside space.
  • After a4, push ...b4 to chase the c3 knight, then ...Ba6 adds a second guard to c4.
  • Once the queenside is secure, ...c5 frees the position and challenges d4.
  • Keep the knight on f6 so White's e4 push never comes with tempo.

Plans and pawn structure

The modest 5.e3 lets Black keep c4 with ...b5. Black's queenside pawns on b4 and c4 gain space, and White must fight them with a4, Nbd2 and sometimes b3. If White wins c4 back, the center with d4 and e3 plus quick castling is pleasant for White. If Black holds c4 and gets in ...c5, the queenside majority becomes a long-term asset, so the whole middlegame turns on that pawn.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.20: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.20 5...b5 6.a4 b4 7.Nb1 Ba6 8.Be2
  2. +0.50 5...Bf5 6.Bxc4 e6 7.O-O Be7 8.Nh4
  3. +0.52 5...Bg4 6.Bxc4 e6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.h3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

173 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 61.0%.

1200–159960.9%
1600–199964.3%
2000 and up57.5%

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

How to play against it

As Black, play 5...b5 and follow with ...b4 and ...Ba6 after a4. The engine rates 5...Bf5 and 5...Bg4 clearly worse, because White recaptures on c4 with a smooth game. Keep the f6 knight in place so e4 stays hard for White.

Questions

What are the moves of the Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation?

The Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e3. Its ECO code is D15.

Is the Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.20 at depth 20, which is level. Comfortable for Black players who know ...b5, ...b4 and ...Ba6; White needs patience to win the pawn back.

What is the main idea of the Slav Defense: Alekhine Variation?

White plays e3 to take back on c4 with the bishop, but Black can keep the pawn with ...b5. The fight is about Black's queenside pawns against White's solid center and quick development.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is b5, with Bf5 and Bg4 close behind. 5...b5 keeps the c4 pawn and gains space before White can recapture with the bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.