Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Nf3/4...e6/5. e3

Semi-Slav Defence: Main Line D43-D49 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav Defence 5. e3 This move protects the c4-pawn with the light-squared bishop, but keeps the dark-squared bishop behind the pawn-chain. Play is usually very positional compared to the 5. Bg5 lines. Black's main idea is to take the c4-pawn once White develops their bishop to d3, gaining important tempi while expanding on the queenside. Since White has yet to place the bishop on d3, Black's main response is /5...Nbd7/, waiting for White to develop the bishop. Theory table Meran 5...Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 b5 Stolz variation 5. ... ... 6. Qc2 5...Bd6 + Accelerated Meran 5...a6 5...Be7 + References Semi-Slav Defence