1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Semi-Slav Defence
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6ECO D43–D49
A rich, combative hybrid of the Slav and the Queen's Gambit Declined: Black supports d5 with both …c6 and …e6, keeping the light-squared bishop's development flexible. It leads to some of the sharpest, most theory-heavy battles in all of chess — the Botvinnik and Meran are legendary.
Key ideas
- …c6 and …e6 build a solid pawn triangle; Black often aims for …dxc4 followed by …b5 to grab space on the queenside.
- The Meran (…dxc4, …b5) gives Black active queenside play; the Botvinnik (5.Bg5 dxc4) is a forcing, memorised brawl.
- Black accepts a slightly passive bishop on c8 in return for a rock-solid centre and dynamic counterplay.
Who it suits
Ambitious players who want a fighting, double-edged defence to 1.d4 and enjoy deep theory.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Semi-Slav Defence move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer