Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5

ECO D17

The Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation is a chess opening line in the Slav Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5.

It is catalogued under code D17 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e5 is chosen by Black on move 8.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Morozevich Variation.

Named variations

• Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Carlsbad Variation, Morozevich Variation — ECO D17

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Slav Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.