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Chebanenko Slav

You play Black. It starts 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6.

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The Chebanenko Slav after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6

The Chebanenko Slav (4...a6, named after the Moldovan trainer Vyacheslav Chebanenko) is a flexible Slav: ...a6 prepares ...b5 to gain space on the queenside, and the c8 bishop stays free to come out to f5 or g4.

The course is built from 23,527 games of the Chebanenko Slav by strong players in Chess Castles' database: the lines below are the ones they really play, with the score Black made in each.

The first moves, one by one

  1. 1.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
  2. 1...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the bishop on c8. It opens a line for the queen on d8.
  3. 2.c4 It controls the centre (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d1. It challenges the opponent's pawns. It offers a pawn (a gambit) to win time or the centre.
  4. 2...c6 It controls the centre (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8.
  5. 3.Nf3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (d4, e5).
  6. 3...Nf6 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5).
  7. 4.Nc3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5).
  8. 4...a6

5.e3

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e3

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Chebanenko Slav: 5.e3

Move by move

  1. 5.e3 It controls the centre (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on f1.

Plans for Black

  • 5...b5 grabs space; after 6.b3 the bishop goes to g4, and Black follows with ...e6 and ...Nbd7.
  • Black can also play 5...Bg4 or 5...e6 first. The usual Slav idea: bring the bishop out before ...e6.
  • Once developed, Black breaks with ...c5 or ...e5 in the centre.

5.c5

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.c5

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Chebanenko Slav: 5.c5

Move by move

  1. 5.c5 It gains space.

Plans for Black

  • 5.c5 gains space and takes the b6 and d6 squares, but the c5 pawn can become a target.
  • Black prepares the central break ...e5 with ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 and ...Nbd7; ...b6 is the other way to attack c5.
  • Watch out: White often supports c5 with b4 and plays Bf4 to stop ...e5: time the break carefully.

5.a4

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.a4

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Chebanenko Slav: 5.a4

Move by move

  1. 5.a4

Plans for Black

  • 5.a4 stops ...b5, but leaves the b4 square weak: a black knight or bishop (...Bb4) can use it.
  • Common plans: 5...e6 followed by ...c5, or the bishop out to f5 or g4 before ...e6.

Exchange (5.cxd5)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.cxd5

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Chebanenko Slav: Exchange (5.cxd5)

Move by move

  1. 5.cxd5 It captures the pawn on d5. It takes a centre square (d5). It gains space. It challenges the opponent's pawns.

Plans for Black

  • The symmetrical structure is quiet, and ...a6 is useful here: it keeps White's pieces off b5.
  • Develop with ...Nc6, ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 and ...e6, and fight for the open c-file with ...Rc8.
  • Watch out: Black is very solid here; the main danger is falling behind in development.

4.e3

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3

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Chebanenko Slav: 4.e3

Move by move

    Plans for Black

    • After 4.e3 White's c1 bishop is shut in, so Black gets an easy game: ...Bg4 or ...Bf5 brings the bishop out before ...e6.
    • 5.Nc3 leads to the main line with 5.e3.

    Other replies

    • Other moves: keep the Chebanenko ideas: ...b5 when it gains space, the bishop out before ...e6, and the central breaks ...c5 or ...e5.

    How each line scores

    LineMovesGamesBlack scores
    5.e3 · Chebanenko Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e35,03342%
    5.c5 · Chebanenko Variation, Advance System1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.c52,87742%
    5.Nf3 · Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nf32,20951%
    7.e3 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 a6 7.e32,13552%
    5.Bf4 · Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf42,11745%
    5.a4 · Chebanenko Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.a41,88738%
    4.Nc3 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc31,85150%
    7.Bd3 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Nc3 a6 7.Bd31,77746%
    5.cxd5 · Chebanenko Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.cxd51,22747%
    5.Bd3 · Quiet Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Bd31,16639%
    7.Rc1 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 a6 7.Rc11,06544%
    5.Qc2 · Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc21,01938%
    5.g3 · Chebanenko Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.g345039%
    5.Nbd2 · Quiet Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nbd244441%
    5.Ne5 · Chebanenko Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.Ne539738%
    7.Be2 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Nc3 a6 7.Be232938%
    7.Rc1 · Exchange Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Nc3 a6 7.Rc131642%
    5.Qc2 · Quiet Variation1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc231534%

    The score counts a win as 1 and a draw as ½, from Black's side, in games between strong players.

    On the board: the course (plans, model games, puzzles from real games of the opening), and the opening trainer, which drills the moves until you know them (a free account keeps your progress).

    More openings: Caro-Kann Defence, Jobava London, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Queen's Gambit, London System, Sicilian Najdorf, French Defence, King's Indian Defence, Queen's Gambit Declined.