8765432abcdefgh1

Slav Defense

Czech Variation, Krause Attack

D17aggressivetactical

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c6
  3. 3.Nf3Nf6
  4. 4.Nc3dxc4
  5. 5.a4Bf5
  6. 6.Ne5
1,248 games47%45%

Sharp Czech Slav line in which White plays 6. Ne5 to regain the c4-pawn with the knight, often met by ...Nbd7 or the piece-sacrificing ...e6.

Train it in Theoria

About the Krause Attack

The Krause Attack, also called the Central Variation, wins back the c4-pawn with the knight rather than the bishop, which keeps the c1-bishop's diagonal open. White may also aim for f3 and e4, or a kingside fianchetto. The usual reply 6...Nbd7 meets 7. Nxc4 with ...Qc7 and ...e5 or with ...Nb6. The Wiesbaden Variation, 6...e6, can lead after 7. f3 Bb4 8. e4 Bxe4 9. fxe4 Nxe4 to a piece sacrifice for three pawns.

Popular continuations

Named variations 1