The Alapin Variation is a variation of the Slav Defense, catalogued as ECO D16. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.
On the Slav Defense generally: A solid defense to the Queen's Gambit. Black supports d5 with c6 while keeping the bishop active.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Alapin Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4. It is a variation of the Slav Defense and is catalogued as ECO D16.
The Alapin Variation is ECO D16. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Slav Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 at +0.32 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.