Slav Defense - Slav Declined: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3

Slav Declined: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3

White's other knight move is more popular than Nc3. White can avoid the complexities of the Slav Accepted by entering the Slav Declined with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3. A common continuation is 4...Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5. White will try to take advantage of the absence of Black's queen bishop on the queenside, but this isn't enough to gain an advantage if Black plays accurately. Another way to play is 4...Bg4. This also equalizes easily.