Starting Out: Slav & Semi-Slav

The very closely linked Slav and Semi—Slav Defences are two of the most popular and combative openings that Black can play against the Queen's Gambit. They have provided the battleground for thousands of exciting encounters between the world's chess elite, including Garry Kasparov, Vishy Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Alexei Shirov, and Alexander Morozevich. Players of all levels are attracted to the Slav and the Semi—Slav because they are solid, dependable defences that do, however, promise abun...