Chess Openings Lab
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Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack

The Alekhine Attack of the Slav Gambit is 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.e4, where White builds a big center at once. Black can hold c4 with 4...b5, while White uses a4, e5 and quick development to win the pawn back with interest.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.e4
ECO
D10
Engine
+0.20 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,064 games in our lichess sample
White scores
57.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 4...b5, play 5.a4 b4 6.Na2 and recover c4 later, as the engine line shows.
  • Push e5 to kick the f6 knight away from the center and gain kingside space.
  • Bxc4 regains the pawn at once whenever Black does not support it with ...b5.
  • The knight on a2 can capture on b4 or return to the center through c1 when ready.

Black

  • 4...b5 holds c4, gains queenside space and is the engine's first choice.
  • After 5.a4, ...b4 chases the c3 knight to a2, away from d5 and e4.
  • 4...e5 strikes the center, but the engine gives White a clear plus after it.
  • Avoid 4...Nf6, which allows 5.Bxc4 and a big lead in development for White.

Plans and pawn structure

White's broad center and fast development fight Black's queenside pawns. After ...b5 and ...b4, White's knight is pushed to a2, but the e4 and d4 pawns and the e5 push give White space. Black aims for ...Nf6, ...Nd5 and ...e6, keeping the c4 pawn as long as possible. White regains it with Bxc4 when the position allows, then uses the extra central space for a kingside attack.

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 4...b5 5.a4 b4 6.Na2 Nf6 7.e5
  2. +0.54 4...e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Nxd4 b5 7.Be2
  3. +1.04 4...Nf6 5.Bxc4 b5 6.Bd3 Qxd4 7.Nf3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,064 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.8%.

under 120067.3%
1200–159958.0%
1600–199955.8%
2000 and up50.0%

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

How to play against it

As Black, play 4...b5 and after 5.a4 b4 6.Na2, develop with ...Nf6 and ...Nd5. Avoid 4...Nf6, which the engine rates as a clear plus for White. Do not open the center with ...e5 while your queenside is still undeveloped and your king is in the middle.

Questions

What are the moves of the Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack?

The Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.e4. Its ECO code is D10.

Is the Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.20 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,064 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.8%. Good for White players who like central space; Black needs to know 4...b5 to keep the game balanced.

What is the main idea of the Slav Defense: Slav Gambit, Alekhine Attack?

White builds a big center with e4 and lets Black hold the c4 pawn for a while. Black keeps it with ...b5 and ...b4, while White gains space with e5 and regains material later.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is b5, with e5 and Nf6 close behind. 4...b5 holds the c4 pawn and keeps the balance against White's center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.