The ideas are pretty easy to grasp (easier than the Slav). 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bf5 is bad on account of 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3! Another downside is you have to deal with the exchange variation, which can be very drawish.Ģ) The Queen's Gambit Declined has the advantage that the 'Exchange Variation' is non-symmetrical. The former is the Slav, the latter is the Semi-Slav.
The downside is that you either have to relinquish the center with 4.dxc4 or else play 4.e6, which keeps the bishop behind the pawn chain anyway. Yes, White can play an early g3, but it's just not good, and Black gets easy equality, possibly even a slight edge. Some differences to keep in mind:ġ) The Slav eliminates the Catalan as a viable candidate. I can play both and have played both (along with the Tarrasch).
