1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Slav, Triangle System
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4ECO D31
A flexible Semi-Slav move order: Black builds the …c6/…e6 'triangle' and grabs the c4-pawn, keeping the option of holding it with …b5 (Noteboom-style) or transposing to a Meran. It leads to sharp, unbalanced pawn structures where Black fights for the initiative.
Key ideas
- …dxc4 with …b5 (and …a6) can hang on to the extra pawn, creating dangerous queenside majorities (Noteboom).
- Alternatively Black transposes to solid Semi-Slav/Meran setups depending on White's reply.
- The move order is a fight over which structure both sides reach — rich in nuance.
Who it suits
Players who like flexible move orders and sharp, unbalanced Semi-Slav structures.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Slav, Triangle System move by move against the board until it's second nature.
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