The Modern Line is a variation of the Slav Defense, catalogued as ECO D11. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 Bg4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. c4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
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.
See all 32 Slav Defense variations →
The Modern Line goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 Bg4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. c4. It is a variation of the Slav Defense and is catalogued as ECO D11.
The Modern Line is ECO D11. 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. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 Bg4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. c4 at +0.18 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.