Slav Defense: the Czech Variation

Black takes on c4 and develops the bishop to f5 before shutting it in. White plays a4 to stop b5, and the fight is over who controls the light squares.

Lesson

White to move. Main line: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Na6 7. e4

Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Krause Attack, Fazekas Gambit (D17). The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Na6 7. e4 — the move order matters, and this is the one the theory follows.

The bishop reaches f5 before ...e6, while a4 prevents Black from protecting the c4-pawn with ...b5 under ideal conditions. White’s Ne5 and e4 turn the temporary pawn sacrifice into central initiative.

The critical calculation is whether Black can hold c4 without falling behind in development. If not, White regains the pawn with the more active pieces and the opening has done its job.