Semi-Slav Defense · D46

Bogoljubow Variation

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7

...e6 plus ...c6 holds d5 twice and threatens to take on c4 and keep it with ...b5 - solid structure with real sharpness underneath.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. c4 Challenges the pawn on d5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Queen's Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Slav Defense.

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