Quiet move order: 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 is variation 6 of 6 in the Semi-Slav Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO D11). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 …. 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. 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. e3 – A quiet move order. White supports d4 and keeps the c3 knight at home for now.
4... e6 – The Semi-Slav set-up again. The centre is rock solid.
5. Nbd2 – The knight goes to d2. It supports a later push to e4 and can take back on c4.
5... Nbd7 – Black develops and keeps an eye on e5.
6. Bd3 – The bishop takes its best diagonal toward h7.
6... Bd6 – The bishop also takes a good diagonal. It supports the push to e5.
7. O-O – White castles.
7... O-O – Black castles too.
8. e4 – White pushes in the centre, as planned with the d2 knight.
8... dxe4 – Black trades a pair of centre pawns.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
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