Quiet 4.e3: ...Bf5 and the Nh4 hunt is variation 6 of 6 in the Slav Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D11). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 …. White plays an early e3 that shuts in the c1 bishop. Black still develops ...Bf5. If White hunts the bishop with Nh4, Black gives it up for the knight and recaptures toward the centre with ...hxg6, gaining the open h-file. 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 matches.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit.
2... c6 – The Slav.
3. Nf3 – Develops.
3... Nf6 – Develops.
4. e3 – A quiet move that supports d4 but blocks White's c1 bishop.
4... Bf5 – Black gets the bishop out before ...e6, exactly as the Slav intends.
5. Nc3 – Develops and adds pressure to d5.
5... e6 – Opens the f8 bishop now that the c8 bishop is outside.
6. Nh4 – The knight hunts the f5 bishop to win the bishop pair.
6... Bg6 – Keeps the bishop on the diagonal; if Nxg6, Black recaptures toward the centre.
7. Nxg6 – White takes the bishop pair.
7... hxg6 – Recaptures toward the centre and opens the h-file for Black's rook.
8. Bd3 – Develops and contests the b1-h7 diagonal.
8... Nbd7 – Develops and supports ...e5.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM