Line vs Slav Bf5 variation

Hi!

I usually play the Catalan with 2.Nf3 instead of 2.c4 to avoid some ugly counter-gambits (lol!) such as the Albin or Budapest, and I'm getting lately a weird version of the Slav with Bf5. Maybe it's not so weird and I'm just not familiar with the variation. First question: does that line have a name? Why is it somewhat popular right now (I'm getting it a lot!)? I mean, has anybody played it at top level? Last but not least, if you've played against it, do you have a good line that you'd recommend as White?

Thanks.

It's popular because it's a good move. If White plays quietly and simply completes development Black will have a very good game with the bishop outside the pawn chain, no serious pressure against b7 or d5 and the Bg2 biting the granite of the c6-e6-d5 triangle. White should already play something drastic like 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 to get something.

That's a drawback of your move order that Black gets the bishop out. 4. g3 is not very popular at the top level but when it's played, Bf5 is one of the main replies.

Playing it like a catalan is not very effective here because Black doesn't have the passive Bc8.

There are two typical ideas for White

One of them is Nh4, for example Nc3 e6 Nh4 and grab the bishop pair. Later you can play for f3, e4 trying to open the position and make use of the bishops

You can also combine it with Qb3 to put pressure on b7. The idea is that after Qb6 c5 Qxb3 axb3 White gets a favourable endgame because of the open a-file and some pressure with b4-b5. If Qc7 then Bf4, so Black has to put his queen on an awkward square like c8.

Thanks for your reply. This is usualy what I play but I don't wanna close the game with c5, but I guess I'll have a better game after that move when we exchange queens than if I leave the pawn on c4 as a usually do.

I've also used Nerwal's suggestion of Nh4 after castling and usually wins that bishop and have a somewhat good game, but I was just wondering if there was something else in the theory.

Thanks both for your valuable replies!

That's a good point, and I know that with my move order I can't have it all. With 2.c4 I was getting the Albin, the Budapest, and while I have a good scoring history against those I just don't like the game arising, thus my 2.Nc3, but as you pointed out other things can be played by Black, though I like those games.

Thanks for your suggestions, they're in line with I was thinking. Another option I was considering was playing this as GM Simon Williams suggest with Nc3, without g3, and e3/e4 instead, and get the f1 bishop out via c4 (if Black takes) or d3.

Thanks everyone!