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Queens Gambit Declined vs Slav/Semi Slav
(sh.itjust.works)
For black, between QGD and Slav/Semi-slav, which do you prefer and why? I am trying to understand what is appealing on both sides and why you make the tradeoff of potentially blocking in the your light square bishop. Personally, I respond with the Nimzo Indian as black, and when playing as white I hope for QGA or Catalan.
I'm no expert on these options for black, but I play QG as white and see this position all the time. QGD seems so cramped for black, but when I see black play Slav, it (anecdotally, and at my level) seems to work out better for me. It feels like it forces a lot of development on the Queen's side first for both, which is what I want to do in QG anyway.
I play the Semi-slav with black, but just thats just by Chance. However, I agree with this comment, and also the fact that far fewer play the Semi-slav, might help you.
Semi-slav is a good tradeoff between solid and dynamic. Not as dynamic as the Grรผnfeld, but can still give interesting positions.
Do you ever see tactical opportunities in a typical semi Slav game? From the white side it seems to remain positional the entire time in my experience. I guess that's subject to change upon hanging pieces or blunders.
In my case only if they play the Bg5 line, then you can have a wild game. If they play the Meeran (usually 5.e3) it ends up being more positional,but keeping all pieces and pawns on the board.