Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Schallopp Defense
The Schallopp Defense of the Quiet Slav is 4...Bf5, placing the bishop on f5 before ...e6. White can chase it with Nh4 to win the bishop pair, while Black aims for ...e6, ...Bg6 and a solid triangle on c6, d5 and e6.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5
- ECO
- D12
- Engine
- +0.23 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 910 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.Nc3 and Nh4 aim to trade on g6, as in 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Qb3 Qc7 8.Nxg6.
- Qb3 hits b7, a weak point now that the bishop has left c8.
- Take on d5 at the right moment to open the c-file for a rook on c1.
- After Nxg6 hxg6, the h-file opens for Black's rook, so castle short with care.
Black
- Play ...e6 and ...Bg6 so the bishop survives the Nh4 jump on your terms.
- After Nxg6 hxg6, the half-open h-file and solid pawns make up for the bishop pair.
- ...Qc7 or ...Qb6 defends b7 against Qb3 and keeps the queen active.
- ...Nbd7 and ...Bd6 complete the setup, with ...e5 as the freeing break.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's bishop is active on f5 but can be chased. White's Nh4 plan wins the bishop pair, and Black's recapture hxg6 opens the h-file. Black builds a sturdy shell with ...e6, ...Nbd7 and ...Bd6. White plays for e4 or a queenside space grab with Qb3 and c5. The middlegame is strategic, with White's two bishops against Black's compact structure and rook on the h-file.
Where the engine's main line heads: Black's pawn triangle: c6, d5, e6. Black's triangle of pawns on c6, d5 and e6: very solid, but it can shut in the c8 bishop.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.23: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.23 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Qb3 Qc7
- +0.17 5.Nh4 Be6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Nc3 Nc6
- +0.12 5.Qb3 Qb6 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Be2 e6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
910 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Quiet Variation, Landau Variation5.cxd5 · rare
How to play against it
As White, play Nc3 and Nh4 to win the bishop pair. Be careful with the h-file after Nxg6 hxg6 before you castle. Do not let Black's bishop settle on f5 or g6 for free, and keep b7 under pressure with Qb3 so Black's queen stays tied down.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Schallopp Defense?
The Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Schallopp Defense starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5. Its ECO code is D12.
Is the Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Schallopp Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.23 at depth 20, which is level. In 910 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.0%. A solid choice for Black players who want an active bishop; White needs patience to use the bishop pair.
What is the main idea of the Slav Defense: Quiet Variation, Schallopp Defense?
Black develops the bishop to f5 before playing ...e6. White chases it with Nh4 for the bishop pair, and Black uses the half-open h-file after hxg6.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Nh4 and Qb3 close behind. 5.Nc3 develops and prepares Nh4 to chase the f5 bishop.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.