Semi-Slav Defence
D43–D49Black1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6
D43–D49 · 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6
The idea
A rock-solid yet ambitious answer to the Queen's Gambit. Black props up the d5-pawn with BOTH ...c6 and ...e6, building a sturdy wall in the centre. From this fortress Black can grab the c4-pawn and expand on the queenside with ...b5, leading to some of the richest play in all of chess.
Your plan (Black)
Hold the d5 strongpoint with ...c6 and ...e6, then unwind: capture on c4, play ...b5 to gain queenside space, develop the light-squared bishop actively, and aim for a freeing ...c5 or ...e5 break.
Heading into the middlegame
The Semi-Slav is a fortress that turns into a battering ram. You prop up d5 with BOTH ...c6 and ...e6, then unwind on the queenside: take ...dxc4, play ...b5 to gain space and chase the bishop, develop ...Bb7 on the long diagonal, and prepare the freeing ...c5 break. The Meran (after e3) is the main road — fast queenside play; the Botvinnik and Anti-Moscow lines (Bg5) are razor-sharp and reward exact preparation. Your trumps are the active light-squared bishop and queenside space; race them against White's central majority.
Lines
0/2 masteredAfter e3 you grab ...dxc4 and fire off ...b5, gaining queenside space, chasing the bishop and racing your majority against White's centre.
You snatch the c4-pawn and cling to it through razor-sharp complications, banking on queenside space and the bishop pair where exact prep decides everything.