The Semi-Slav Defence ( 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6) has been one of Black's most reliable defences to the queen's pawn since the 1920s, having withstood decades of scrutiny at the highest level. Nowadays it is very popular at grandmaster level (it is used regularly by such imaginative players as Shirov and Kramnik) as well as with club and tournament players.

In this book Grandmaster Matthew Sadler explains the strategy and tactics of this dynamic opening. Through the use of model games for both sides, the author provides a thorough grounding in the key ideas, so that readers can quickly and confidently start to use the Semi-Slav in their own games.

• Written by a leading expert on the Semi-Slav, 1995 British Champion and Olympiad gold medal winner Grandmaster Matthew Sadler
• Explains the basic elements, strategies and tactics for both sides
• Offers an accessible, digestible blend of explanatory and theoretical material
• Provides everything you need to know to start playing the opening straight away

Content:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Sf3 Sf6 4. Sc3 e6

008 Bibliography

009 Introduction

5. Lg5

012 1 Botvinnik Variation: Main Line with 15...b4

031 2 Botvinnik Variation: Black`s 13th Move Alternatives

041 3 Botvinnik Variation with 11. g3

054 4 Botvinnik Variation: Early Deviations after 5. Lg5 dxc4

064 5 Moscow Variation with 7. e3 (5...h6 6. Lxfl Dxf6 7. e3)

077 6 Moscow Variation: White`s 6th and 7th Move Alternatives (5...h6)

5. e3 and other moves

081 7 Meran Variation: Main Line (5. e3 Sbd7 6. Ld3 dxc4 7. Lxc4 b5 8. Ld3 Lb7 9. 0-0 a6 10. e4 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Lc2 Dc7)

097 8 Meran Variation: Move Orders and Sidelines

110 9 Meran Variation with 8...Lb7: White Alternatives

123 10 Meran Variation with 8...a6: Old Main Line - 9. e4 c5 10. e5

131 11 Meran Variation: System with an Early ...b5-b4

140 12 Meran Variation: Odds and Ends

145 13 6. Dc2 (Karpov System): 7. Le2 and 7. Ld3

154 14 Odds and Ends

158 Index of Complete Games