Moscow Variation: 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 is variation 3 of 6 in the Semi-Slav Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO D43). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 …. 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. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... d5 – Black claims the centre too.
2. c4 – White attacks d5 from the side.
2... c6 – Black supports d5 with the c-pawn.
3. Nf3 – White develops and covers e5.
3... Nf6 – Black develops and guards d5.
4. Nc3 – A third attacker against d5.
4... e6 – The Semi-Slav. The centre is rock solid.
5. Bg5 – The most popular move. The bishop pins the f6 knight to the queen.
5... h6 – Black asks the bishop at once. Will it take, or go back to h4?
6. Bxf6 – The Moscow Variation. White gives up the bishop to keep the centre stable.
6... Qxf6 – The queen takes back. Black now has the two bishops.
7. e3 – White supports d4 and opens the f1 bishop.
7... Nd7 – Black develops and keeps an eye on e5. The c-pawn and the e-pawn stay ready to break.
8. Bd3 – White develops and prepares to castle.
8... dxc4 – Black takes when the bishop has just moved, so White loses a tempo.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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