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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Openings

Semi-Slav: development or tension with Bg5

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Black supports d5 with c6 and e6, keeping the c8-bishop inside the chain. Compare e3, opening your f1-bishop, with Bg5, keeping e4 available. In the second line, ...h6 and ...g5 gain space against the bishop. Maintaining the pin requires concrete calculation. Notice also how a developed bishop can lose a tempo when Black captures on c4.

The key idea

With e3 you prioritise development; with Bg5 and Bh4, calculate ...dxc4 and ...g5 before expanding the centre.

Example 1 · Development behind e3

The queen supports e4 and leaves d1 for a future rook.

  1. Qc2 The queen supports e4 and leaves d1 for a future rook.
  2. Bd6 Black develops the bishop towards h2.
  3. Bd3 Develop the bishop towards h7 before choosing a break.
  4. dxc4 ...dxc4 gains a tempo on the bishop: recovering requires moving it again.

Example 2 · Maintaining the pin

Retreat the bishop to h4 and retain the f6 pin.

  1. Bh4 Retreat the bishop to h4 and retain the f6 pin.
  2. dxc4 ...dxc4 concedes the centre for a temporary extra pawn.
  3. e4 Occupy e4 while the f6-knight remains pinned.
  4. g5 ...g5 attacks the bishop and breaks the pin: calculate the retreat next.

Practice

You play White. Practice two decisions from this line: Development behind e3.

  1. The queen supports e4 and leaves d1 for a future rook. Bd3, the Meran, is also good. Here practise Qc2 before developing the bishop. h3, a3, Be2, a4, cxd5, Nd2, Bd2, b3 are also playable, with different continuations.
  2. You keep a sound position for further development and the central struggle. There are several sound continuations: Bd3, Be2, b3, cxd5, a3, Bd2, g4, h3. Choose one and check what remains to be developed.

In similar positions, decide how much centre you can occupy without ignoring ...dxc4 and attacks on the bishop.