1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5: Practical Setup for Black
The Problem with Playing 1...d5
Every d5-player knows the feeling. You prepare meticulously against 1.d4 and 2.c4, learn the theory, understand the structures — and then White plays 2.Nf3, 2.Bf4, 2.Nc3, or simply develops without committing to c4. Suddenly, the preparation does not apply. You are still on move two, and already navigating unfamiliar territory across several different systems.
This course offers a different approach: one move that cuts through the complexity.
The Idea Behind 2...Bf5
The move 2...Bf5 is not a novelty, but it has rarely been developed into a complete, coherent repertoire — until now. The bishop goes to f5 early, before the pawn structure is fixed, before White has committed to any particular setup. The result is a fluid, fighting position that works equally well against the London, the Colle, the Jobava complex, and even 3.c4 transpositions. Whether you normally play the Slav, the QGD, or the QGA, 2...Bf5 fits seamlessly into your existing 1...d5 repertoire. There is no heavy theory to memorize, and the positions that arise are fresh — familiar enough to navigate confidently, unfamiliar enough to unsettle opponents who rely on pattern recognition.
The course's most instructive moment comes early. After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.Bf4, Black plays 3...e6, deliberately delaying ...Nf6. The point is subtle but powerful: Black achieves a version of the London structure where the light-squared bishop is already developed and active outside the pawn chain. It is one of the repertoire's sharpest practical weapons.
Against 3.c4, Black responds with 3...e6 and 4...Nc6, and the position immediately gains dynamic tension. White must react carefully: after 3…e6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qb3, the continuation 6...Nf6 leaves White unable to capture on b7 due to the decisive ...Nb4 jump. The position is unbalanced from the opening, and the chances to outplay your opponent are genuine from the very first moves.
Variation Map
2...Bf5 — Main Structure
- 2.Nc3 (Jobava/Veresov complex) → 2...Bf5 → Chapter 9
- 2.Bf4 (London move order) → 2...Bf5 → Chapter 8
- 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.e3 (Colle approach) → Chapter 6
- 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.Bf4 e6! (superior London for Black) → Chapter 7
- 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 (rare tries) → Chapter 5
- 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Nc6
- 5.a3 and positional lines → Chapter 1
- 5.Bf4 (most common) → Chapter 2
- 5.cxd5 exd5 4.Qb3 Nc6 → Chapters 3–4
- 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Qb3 Nf6! (critical line, ...Nb4 threat) → Chapter 2
About the Authors
GM Pier Luigi Basso and GM Valery Kazakouski are the architects of this repertoire. Both are experienced grandmasters who approach opening preparation the same way — build systems that work at the board, not systems that look impressive on paper. Their starting point was a simple question — what does a 1...d5 player actually need against everything that is not 2.c4? The answer they arrived at is elegant: one structure, a simple bishop development, and a set of ideas that carry across all of White's variations.
The two GMs have previously collaborated on the Triangle Slav for Black – Part 1 and Triangle Slav for Black – Part 2, which builds a complete repertoire against 1.d4 and 2.c4. Together, the three courses cover the full picture: 2.c4 handled by the Triangle Slav, and everything else handled by 2...Bf5.Course Details
- 9 Chapters
- 20 test positions
- Memory Booster
- To Go Version of every chapter
- Video instruction
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
Add 2...Bf5 to your repertoire and meet 1.d4 with a single, principled answer to everything White throws at you besides 2.c4. One move, nine chapters, and a complete practical solution.