One of the simplest continuations against the Slav Defence and one in which White relies simply on the advantage conferred on him by the first move is the Exchange Variation 3.cxd5 cxd5. After the disappearance of the c-pawns the pawn formation is symmetrical and if that is what both players want they can also maintain this symmetry in the development of their minor pieces, after which the position is rapidly further simplified by further exchanges. This would be the case, for example, after 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6. But fortunately there are also other more interesting variations such as the one demonstrated by the move order 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Bf4 e5!?.
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