Catalan Slav Flashcards
Black plays a very early Bf5 in the Slav - how should White respond?
White exchanges pawns and plays Qb3 attacking b7 and d5. After Qb3 Black loses either a pawn or something strategical more or less by force here - with ideas like Bf4, Nc3 to follow as in the diagram where White now threatens to play Nb5 with devastating consequences.
If Black plays 7…a6 to prevent this, then the b6-square becomes a weakness allowing White to invade it with8.Na4.
If Black recaptures the pawn with the Queen - white just takes the centre and if Bb1 first , Rb1 then Qb3 is strong
In these lines Black delays Bf5 a move and simply strives to complete development.
How do we play as White after Bf5? and what are the main continuations?
Nc3 is the key move here - there are the following main branches:
- d x c4 We follow up with Ne5. d x c4 is a common idea in the Slav but in this particular position, this is not such a good idea. Here with the White pawn already on g3, White can get Bf4 in with a tempo against …Qc7 whenever Black plays it. This doesn’t allow Black to get …e5 which is an important freeing move.
- e6 - we now enter into Qb3 lines hitting b7 - Black respond Qb6 or Qc8
- Nbd7 - we play Nh4
In these lines Black delays Bf5 a move and simply strives to complete development.
How do we play as White after Bf5? and what are the less frequent continuations?
Nc3 is the key move here - there are the following less likely branches:
- h6 - exchange pawns and Qb3 is even better than main line
- g6 - exchange pawns and Qb3 is even better than main line
- Ne4 - play Qb3
What are the main themes and ideas if Black plays Nbd7 in response to Ne5
White takes on c4.
If Black just plays e6 then White will take the centre in due course - White has a very pleasant edge in this structure in general due to his superior control in the centre, which helps White have more space in the position overall, resulting in a typical position with a slight edge.
If Black challenges with b6 - the knight returns to e5. The centre is where the Knight belongs at the moment. The Knight on e5 is well-placed and exerts useful control overall. White simply threatens to play Bg2 and e4. If Black plays Nbd7 then Qb3 wins material so Nfd7 is the main line
How does White play if challenged by the knight on b6?
8.Ne5 -The centre is where the Knight belongs at the moment. The Knight on e5 is well-placed and exerts useful control overall. White simply threatens to play Bg2 and e4 if allowed
Nbd7 allows Qb3 and Black is losing material
Nfd7 is a very useful defensive move. Allowing the Knight to stay on e5 will let White achieve too much control in the centre. Black has to try and counter this.
We play Nf3 and try to engineer e4 advance
What are Whites ideas against Nfd7 lines?
- White retreats to f3
- Complete development with Bg2 and 0-0
- Contest the centre with e4
In the Nb6 Ne5 Nfd7 variation after White has completed his development and taken the centre - how should White proceed in response to Bg4 or Bg6
If Bg6 then Nh4 wins the light square bishop for a knight
If Bg4 White puts the question to the Bishop with h3 and if the Bishop retreats to g6 follows up with h4.
Typical play in accordance with the strategy in this setup. Having obtained a good centre, White goes after Black’s light-squared Bishop.
e.g. after 15 h4 then 15…h5 16.Ng5 hxg4 17. Qxg4⩲
Very strong and concrete play by White has helped White achieve an excellent position with very strong initiative against Black’s King.
White’s control over the centre ensures that movement of Black’s pieces from one wing to another isn’t achieved so easily. White’s immediate threat in this position is to take Nxe6. Black is likely to play 17…Nf6 to prevent this. White can continue with18.Qh3 and then bring more pieces into the attack. For example, Ne2 and Nf4 after due preparation. Practically, this position is very difficult to defend as Black.
