Chess Openings Lab
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Slav Defense: Winawer Countergambit

The Winawer Countergambit is 3.Nc3 e5, a sharp pawn offer in the Slav. White should take on d5 and e5 to win material, while Black hopes for quick development and play against White's loosened center.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e5
ECO
D10
Engine
+0.56 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
161 games in our lichess sample
White scores
40.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.dxe5 d4 6.Ne4 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 Nc6 is the main engine line, with White a pawn up.
  • After 4.dxe5 d4, the knight goes back to b1 and White keeps the extra pawn.
  • 4.e3 is a quieter option, leading to an isolated d-pawn for Black after the trades.
  • Keep the extra pawn and develop; do not give it back without a good reason.

Black

  • ...d4 gains space and kicks the c3 knight, the key idea of the countergambit.
  • ...Qa5+ and ...Nc6 develop quickly and keep White busy defending the extra pawn.
  • ...f6 opens the f-file after dxe5, as in the second engine line.
  • Black aims for active pieces in exchange for the pawn, with ...Be6 or ...Bf5 and long castling.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a dubious gambit for Black: the engine gives White a clear edge. White takes the pawn, and Black's compensation comes from ...d4 and active pieces. White wants to keep the extra pawn, develop and castle. Black plays ...Nc6, ...Be6 or ...Bf5, and ...O-O-O to put pressure on the center and the d-file. If White consolidates, the extra pawn decides the game.

Where the engine's main line heads: Black has an isolated queen pawn. Black has an isolated d-pawn: nothing on the c- or e-file to support it.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.56: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.56 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.dxe5 d4 6.Ne4 Qa5+
  2. +0.37 4.dxe5 d4 5.Nb1 f6 6.exf6 Nxf6
  3. +0.20 4.e3 exd4 5.exd4 Nf6 6.Bd3 Bb4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

161 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 40.7%.

1200–159931.4%
1600–199939.7%
2000 and up40.5%

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

Where it goes next

  • Winawer Countergambit, Anti-Winawer Gambit4.e4 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take with 4.cxd5 and 5.dxe5. Keep the extra pawn and develop with Ngf3, g3 and Bg2. Avoid unnecessary queen moves, and do not allow ...d4 to come with tempo on a loose knight. Castle early so checks do not bother you.

Questions

What are the moves of the Slav Defense: Winawer Countergambit?

The Slav Defense: Winawer Countergambit starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e5. Its ECO code is D10.

Is the Slav Defense: Winawer Countergambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.56 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. A risky surprise weapon for Black; White players who know the line keep an edge.

What is the main idea of the Slav Defense: Winawer Countergambit?

Black offers a pawn to open the center and gain activity. White takes and keeps the extra pawn with careful development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd5, with dxe5 and e3 close behind. 4.cxd5 opens the c-file and wins material after 5.dxe5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.