Semi-Slav transpositions

I have chosen the Semi-Slav as my main weapon against 1.d4 and I will start to study it soon (first going through a bunch of master games, and then study Alexey Dreev's "Meran and Anti-Meran" and "Moscow and Anti-Moscow" books). The question I have is, that what are the possible Slav transpositions? I know that Exchange Slav is possible, but what should I do if my opponent plays Nc3+e3 or Nf3+e3 (playing e3 before developing both of his knights)? Should I study the Slav lines for those cases, or is it bad to play in the Semi-Slav style closing the pawn chain with e6? That would sometimes transpose back to the Semi-Slav, but also allows my opponent to avoid it and play something else, when my e6 move might not be that good?

you can and should play e6 anyways after Nf6, in most cases it should transpose to the Meran but White has some independent options that you should check if they aren't in the book

#1
"study Alexey Dreev's "Meran and Anti-Meran" and "Moscow and Anti-Moscow" books"
++ Just play. You do not need to study 4 books before you play.
You were better of studying an endgame book.

"what are the possible Slav transpositions?"
++ There are many transpositions in chess and thus also in the Slav.

"but what should I do if my opponent plays Nc3+e3 or Nf3+e3"
++ What is the problem? e3 is not a threatening move, is it?

"Should I study the Slav lines for those cases" ++ You do not need to study openings, just play.

"is it bad to play in the Semi-Slav style closing the pawn chain with e6?" ++ No, it is OK.

"but also allows my opponent to avoid it and play something else" ++ So what?

"when my e6 move might not be that good?" ++ Why not?

After 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 it will be hard for White to avoid Nf3 and Black will eventually get a 5. e3 Semi-Slav. However after 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 White has more options, mainly by developing the Nb1 to d2 (4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 like Capablanca, or even later). Then either Black gets a dry position or has to undo the Semi-Slav setup by playing an early c5 to take advantage of the misplaced Nd2. Maybe Black should size the opportunity to play 4... Bf5 first (4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 is a big line) or even consider some other options like 4... g6, 4... a6 or 4... Bg4.

Thanks for the replies! 🙂 I will go with e6 then.

If your opponent plays Nc3+e3 or Nf3+e3:

1. U can continue to play in the Semi-Slav style.
2. U can play Bf5/Bg4 before closing the pawn chain with e6.

In the second case, U should study corresponding Slav variations (Shallopp defense and Pin defense).

 

 

Generally speaking, Nc3/e3 Black is best off going 4...e6 or 4...a6.  This move order is to cause discomfort to traditional slav players.  4...dxc4 and 4...Bf5 are both a mistake here.

 

The Nf3/e3 lines, Black is best off bringing the Bishop out.  Even Vigarito suggests this in his Semi-Slav book.  It has been a long while since I played the Semi-Slav, but there are some advantages to White for holding off the Queen's Knight in the Semi-Slav that Black should bring the Bishop out against what is dubbed the "Slow Slav", which is the Nf3/e3 line you refer to.

Thanks! I guess I have to study that line as well 🙂