Semi-Slav: 5.g3

Before the first move

The Semi-Slav is a rock-solid defense where Black builds a sturdy pawn triangle. By playing 5.g3, White chooses a Catalan-style approach, aiming to fianchetto the light-squared bishop and exert long-term pressure on the center while keeping the position strategically complex and flexible.

1. d4White · your move

Push your d-pawn to d4. This move claims central space and opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop, establishing the foundation for a Queen's Gambit or Catalan setup.

1... d5Black

Black replies with d5, the most classical response. While alternatives like the Englund Gambit or the English Defense exist, this move leads to the most theoretically grounded and balanced positions.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Offer the c4 pawn. This is the Queen's Gambit. You are challenging Black's d5 pawn and trying to lure it away so you can eventually dominate the center with your e-pawn.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... e6Black

Black chooses e6, the Queen's Gambit Declined. This is a very reliable system. Other aggressive options include the Chigorin Defense with Nc6 or the Austrian Defense with c5, but e6 is the most solid.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense) · Bf5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic Defense) · Nf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Zilbermints Gambit)

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This piece adds immediate pressure to the d5 square and prepares for further central expansion. It is a natural developing move that keeps your options open.

Other paths here: Bf4 (QGD: 3.Bf4) · cxd5 (QGD: 3.cxd5) · e3 (QGD: 3.e3) · g3 (QGD: 3.g3)

3... Nf6Black

Black develops with Nf6. This leads toward the main lines of the Queen's Gambit. Black could also try the Semi-Slav move order with c6 immediately, but Nf6 is the most standard development.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Bb4) · Nc6 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nc6) · Be7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation) · a6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation)

4. Nf3White · your move

Develop your other knight to f3. This move controls the e5 square and prepares for the future kingside fianchetto. You are building a very harmonious and flexible setup.

Other paths here: e3 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3) · g3 (QGD: Catalan without Nf3) · Bf4 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack) · Bg5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation)

4... c6Black

Black plays c6, entering the Semi-Slav Defense. This is a high-level choice. Black could have played the Ragozin with Bb4 or the Semi-Tarrasch with c5, but c6 creates a very tough nut to crack.

Other paths here: Be7 (QGD: 4.Nf3 Be7) · Nbd7 (QGD: Westphalia without Bg5) · Bb4 (QGD: Ragozin) · c5 (QGD: Semi-Tarrasch, 5.e3)

5. g3White · your move

Move your pawn to g3. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop to g2. This long-range piece will exert pressure down the h1-a8 diagonal, targeting the center and Black's queenside.

Other paths here: Qb3 (Semi-Slav: 5.Qb3) · Qd3 (Semi-Slav: 5.Qd3) · Bg5 (Semi-Slav: Botvinnik (Anti-Meran)) · e3 (Semi-Slav: 5.e3)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White will fianchetto the bishop on g2 and look to control the long diagonal. Black's task is to find a way to develop the light-squared bishop, often by eventually capturing on c4 and playing for a b5 expansion. Both sides have a very solid foundation, and the battle will revolve around the timing of central pawn breaks.

• f1-g2 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure the center.
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king.
• d5-c4 Capture on c4 to challenge White's center.
• b7-b5 Expand on the queenside and free the bishop.
• c1-b2 Develop the dark-squared bishop to support the center.