Slav Defense: Breyer Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
151,726 games: White 50.8% / Draw 7.6% / Black 41.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 59,04459K | ||
| 37,69138K | ||
| 18,76419K | ||
| 16,29116K | ||
| 8,6828,682 | ||
| 4,1884,188 | ||
| 3,4023,402 | ||
| 1,4641,464 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... Bf5 5. Nh4 Be4 6. Qb3 Nbd7 7. f3 dxc4 8. Qxb7 Bc2 9. Nxc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Slav Defense: Breyer Variation (ECO D11, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Slav Defense: Modern Line, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nbd2 (4 moves).
In 151,726 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.8%, Black 41.6% and 7.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Bf5, in 39% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Slav Defense: Breyer Variation
The most played answer, 4…Bf5, also scores best for Black: 47.5%, with Black winning 43.5% and White 48.6% of 59K games. Of the main answers, 4…e6 scores lowest: 42.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…Bf5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Slav Defense: Breyer Variation (D11)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/slav-defense-breyer-variation