Semi-Slav Defense

The Semi-Slav Defense combines two ways of protecting Black's pawn on d5. The c-pawn advances to c6 and the e-pawn advances to e6, forming a pawn triangle on c6, d5, and e6. It therefore shares features with the Slav Defense and the Queen's Gambit Declined.

The structure is highly resilient: if White captures on d5, Black can usually recapture; if White keeps the pawn on c4, Black may consider ...dxc4 followed by ...b5 to support it or gain space. The cost is that the e6-pawn blocks the c8-bishop. Black must later free that bishop through ...b6 and ...Bb7, ...e5, ...c5, or a central capture that opens diagonals.

...e6 completes the Semi-Slav triangle

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Starte6

...e6 completes a very firm structure, but also accepts that the c8-bishop will be restricted for a time.

Black chooses a second defender for d5

The c6-pawn already supports the center; ...e6 adds solidity and defines the Semi-Slav.

1. ...e6 completes a very firm structure, but also accepts that the c8-bishop will be restricted for a time.