repertoire help

I want to start playing the slav as black but I don't know much (if anything) about the opening.  Would it be possible to build a reliable repertoire without having to buy a book on the slav defense?

In one of my other opening books I get some great insight into certain good moves, or the author gives practical alternatives.  Once I ran one of these through houdini and it didn't like the suggestion... until about 7 moves had passed and then it finally agreed.  I'm worried if I try to use my engine that it will lead me astray unless I give it tons of time to think... and even then I get no help on the practical alternatives.

When it comes to discovering/judging opening theory, I'd prefer using databases to engines.  History tends to be a bit more accurate about how good a line is ... unless you're exploring a possible novelty.

To answer your main question => outside of a good theory book : annotated games,  even non-annotated games (via databases) should be the raw materials you need to develop your repertoire.

The Slav is heavily studied, but for non-titled levels of play, just going over a ton of high-level games (both won + lost by Black) should give you a good feel for where the pieces go.  I did that when learning the Scotch Gambit (heavily documenting whatever I learned from history's games)

Oh, see that's how little I know about it.  I guess I'm thinking of the semi-slav, I don't want to get into the heavy theory of the dxc stuff, I'd just play 4...e6 :)

So another simple question, in case of 4...e6 would I have to be careful of transpositions into a QGD?  Lets say 5.cxd exd and it's already the orthodox QG line right?  (I'm not sure)

Hmm, I bet you're right about the non-titled stuff.  My peers aren't heavily booked so this would probably be a great place to start.  Thanks.

One way to make this "learning via just the games" process easier is by filtering/mining for minis to begin with. That's how I figured out all the dangerous things that can happen within the first 10-15 moves of the game and this was enough (for the Scotch Gambit) for me to start playing / winning games with against equal opposition.

Step 1. Take large database of semi-slav games (filtered from a megabase/source using ECO codes)

Step 2. Filter for miniatures (quick take-downs, <10 or 15 moves) and study them first. If your megabase or game sources include not just Master vs Master games but Master vs. "untitled", you'll often see a lot of quick kills.

Step 3. Use CPT,bookup or DB software to document these gotcha's.  Play them over and look for common themes.

Step 4. Then increase your filter to games finished in 15-20 moves ...rinse and repeat.

If you "don't want to get into heavy theory," you sure as hell don't want to steer the game into a semi-slav.  That's some of the deepest, most theory-heavy, demanding stuff in all of chess.

Stick with the slav, aiming for an early Bf5.  That's the best bet if you intend to try to play thematically rather than relying on out-memorizing your opponents.

Great idea, thanks!

I'm not aiming for master or anything, it's rare that my peers and I go to move 10 or beyond, but I'll keep this in mind.

Could you post a line or two showing what you're thinking of though?

To add to the above, if you're interested in taking up the a6 Slav, or even the Bf5, and you want to understand the ideas without getting bogged down in theory, I can't recommend the old Matthew Sadler book on the Slav highly enough.  He's the best chess author I've ever read for someone who wants to get started in opening theory, to understand the skeleton ideas of an opening, without wading hip deep in variations.

It's a shame his output was so slim.

@ hushpuckena

The 5...Nbd7 line you mention I tried in 2 tourney games.  Maybe due to lack of prep (decided to play a week before hand) I used up a lot of time and wasn't very comfortable in the games although the positions I got were objectively ok.

@reasonabledoubt

Thanks for all the lines :)  This a6 thing seem to be popular, but I've never tried it.  Looks good, I'll test this out online. 

In your mainline instead of 9.cxd5 if instead white geared up for e4 / just completes development it would make me (as black) more uncomfortable.  Not that I don't like the line, looks good, like I said I'll try it out.

@LilAnarchies

Thanks for the book recommendation, I saved the title.  If I decide the salv is for me I'll definitely consider getting it.