Black supports d5 with both the c-pawn and the e-pawn. The centre is very solid, and Black often takes on c4 and gains space with the b-pawn. You learn the Meran, the Anti-Meran, the Moscow and the Anti-Moscow. You also learn the Exchange line and the quiet set-up with the knight on d2. This is a advanced opening course for Black (ECO D43-D49) with 6 variations and 2 traps, written for players rated around 2000. Each move is explained and then drilled on a board; it is free.
Key ideas of Semi-Slav Defence
Hold d5 with pawns on c6 and e6. Your centre is hard to break, and you can choose when to take on c4.
Take on c4 when White's bishop has just moved. Then the b-pawn gains space and time against it.
Your light-squared bishop starts behind the e6 pawn. Bring it to b7 on the long diagonal, or to f5 when the d-pawn is gone.
Your main pawn breaks are the c-pawn to c5 and the e-pawn to e5. Prepare one of them before you move it.
Against the bishop on g5, the h-pawn asks the question. Taking on f6 gives you two strong bishops. A retreat to h4 leads to sharp play.
Variations you learn
Meran: 8...Bb7 9.O-O b4 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 …. White develops with e3 and Bd3. Black takes on c4 and gains space with ...b5. The bishop goes to b7, the b-pawn chases the c3 knight, and the c-pawn break to c5 frees Black's game.
Anti-Meran: 6.Qc2 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 …. White plays 6.Qc2 to prepare e4 and avoid the Meran. Black develops the bishop to d6, castles and takes on c4. Then the b-pawn gains space and the e-pawn breaks to e5.
Moscow Variation: 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 …. White pins the f6 knight with 5.Bg5. Black asks the question with ...h6, and White gives up the bishop for the knight. Black gets the two bishops, takes on c4 and fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop on g7.
Anti-Moscow Gambit: 6.Bh4 dxc4 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 …. White keeps the pin with 6.Bh4. Black takes on c4, and after 7.e4 kicks the bishop with ...g5. Black grabs space with ...b5 and gets an extra pawn, while White gets a lead in development.
Exchange line: 5.cxd5 exd5 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 …. White trades on d5 early. Black takes back with the e-pawn, and now the c8 bishop is free. Black develops it to f5 and trades it for White's best bishop. The position is calm and equal.
Quiet move order: 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 – 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 …. White plays e3 before Nc3 and then puts the knight on d2. The knight supports a push to e4. Black develops the bishop to d6, castles, and frees the game by trading in the centre and pushing the e-pawn to e5.
Traps
Anti-Meran: 11...Bb7? 12.e4 – A warning for Black. With the bishop on d6 and the knight on f6, the e-pawn push to e5 forks them both. And the queen on d8 faces the rook on d1. Move the queen first.
Anti-Moscow: 8.Nxg5? hxg5 – After ...g5 White sometimes gives the knight on g5 to keep the pin. It does not work. Black takes, and the extra piece is worth much more than two pawns.
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