Introduction
The Slav Defence is one of the most solid ways to meet 1.d4. Therefore, this opening has always been an evergreen choice in high-level chess. Building a repertoire for White is really challenging. Since there is no way to achieve an objective advantage, White shall try to create practical problems and outplay in opponent in strategically complex positions.
In the current database, GM Aleksander Delchev builds a positional repertoire for White. The starting position of his survey arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6
The main repertoire suggested by GM Delchev is based on 4.Qc2. As an alternative, he also provides a backup repertoire with 4.Qb3. Having two options (which are quite similar strategically) allows you to adjust your choice depending on your opponent.
As already mentioned, this is a positional repertoire. Hence, the understanding of the typical plans and ideas is much more important than the memorization of theoretical lines. Therefore, the author provides an extensive examination of the typical pawn structures.
Typical Pawn Structures
GM Delchev starts the database with an explanation of 4 typical pawn structures. Make sure to read this section before proceeding with the theoretical part.
The presentation of each pawn structure contains an overview of the main ideas, 2 model games and 10 test positions.
Structure 1
This pawn structure is typical for many lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Gruenfeld and the Slav Defense. In our repertoire, we reach this structure in the line 4.Qc2 g6 when Black is attracted by winning a tempo with 5...Bf5 6.Qb3 Qb6 7.c5 Qxb3 8.axb3.
Structure 2
This structure is more typical for the Exchange Slav with 3.cxd5 cxd5. Black's g7 bishop is biting on the e3, d4 wall and the weakening of the dark squares on the queenside (c5, c7, d6) automatically makes the situation far more pleasant for White The control over the only open file is of primary importance. It is usually White who manages this while Black urgently needs to redirect the dark-squared bishop back to the f8-a3 diagonal. The endgames are in White's favour as well because there is nothing Black can do against the increasing queenside pressure.
Structure 3
This pawn structure shows White's main aim in the whole 4.Qc2 system is. The main reason why I started my investigation was that I saw how effortlessly White won in the two model games.
Everybody knows how dangerous it is to leave one of our pieces out of play. "If one piece stands badly then the whole position is bad", to paraphrase Tarrasch is also valid in the position on the diagram. White has many ways to profit from this domination
Structure 4
This structure is typical for the line 4...dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.e4 Bxf3 8.gxf3 e5. Usually in this structure, the kings get castled to opposite sides which considerably sharpens the fight. White's spoiled pawn structure is compensated by the bishop pair in a position with an open centre.
As an example, we shall take a look at the coverage of Structure 1.
Structure 1
Overview
This pawn structure is typical for many lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Gruenfeld and the Slav Defense. In our repertoire, we reach this structure in the line 4.Qc2 g6 when Black is attracted by winning a tempo with 5...Bf5 6.Qb3 Qb6 7.c5 Qxb3 8.axb3.
What is it all about?
White's pawns are doubled but as a compensation, he obtains a huge space advantage on the queenside. A simple and very effective plan is to undouble the pawns by means of b4-b5. Black usually has enough time to avoid that by playing a7-a6 and moving the rook out of the pin. But even then is it too early to relax. By moving one of his knights to a5, White can put pressure on the biggest defect in Black's position - the b7-pawn.
Black's only hope lays in the counterattack with a quick e7-e5 blocking the f4 bishop and trying to redirect White's attention. Then Black could start breathing as the long-ranging f4-bishop would be out of play and his pieces could come to life.
The most important White piece is the Bf4, therefore the prophylactic h2-h3 is an obligatory measure.
Most of the test positions are about White's tactical hits on the queenside.
I think Black should better avoid this endgame, but if it is not possible then to focus on eliminating White's dark-squared bishop rather than on passive defence.
Model Games
Interactive Tests
Note that it is not important to find all the moves in the test positions. You should just try to guess the right plan and the first couple of moves.
The other 3 structures are covered in the same way.
Theoretical Section
The theoretical section contains 28 chapters.
Delchev’s main recommendation 4.Qc2 is analyzed in the first 25 chapters. The last 3 are dedicated to the alternative 4.Qb3, where the ideas are quite similar. This line often transposes to 4.Qc2 (after 4…dxc4).
Chapter 1 – 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 a6
This is a rare line. Black is playing in the “Chebanenko style”. Against 4.Qc2 the move 4…a6 is less useful. White’s best continuation is 5.Bf4 with an advantage.
Chapter 2 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 Bg4
The other sideline which just leads to troubles for Black. White’s best option is 5.Ne5 and according to the author White is better in all lines.
In Chapters 3-8, Delchev analyses one of the main replies to 4.Qc2 – the move 4...g6
There is one important difference between the 4.Qc2 g6 system and the Gruenfeld Defence which is in White's favour:
In the Gruenfeld Defence, Black usually challenges the centre with ...c7-c5, while in the 4.Qc2 g6 line, Black is only holding it with c6 and d5.
If Black is looking for active counterplay, at some point, he has to play ...c6-c5 which would lose a clear tempo compared to the Gruenfeld lines. Another option for creating counterplay is to chase White's queen by means of ...Bf5 & ...Na6-b4.
Chapter 3 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 g6 5.Bf4 dxc4
The move is one of the most interesting replies for Black. Black is playing in the Gruenfeld spirit. This continuation was praised by IM Renato Quintillano in his wonderful database for Modern Chess.
The main line goes 6.Qxc4 where Black has two options: the rare 6…Be6 (Quintillano’s choice) or to enters some “deep Gruenfeld theory after 6…Bg7 7.0-0 0-0.
Delchev analyses these positions in detail and finds interesting new concepts where White’s play seems to be easier.
Chapter 4 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 g6 5.Bf4 Bf5
Developing the bishop with tempo seems tempting, but this move is dubious and leads to a quite comfortable advantage for White. After 6.Qb3 Qb6 7.e3, White is trying to reach Structure 1.
It seems that White’s position is preferable in all lines.
Chapters 5 – 8 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 g6 5.Bf4 Bg7
In these chapters, GM Delchev investigates the main continuation for Black.
The main line continues 6.e3 0-0 7.Nc3. We reach a critical position for the variation.
In different chapters, the author analyses 7...c5 7…Na6, 7…Be6, 7…Qa5.
The arising positions resemble the Gruenfeld Defence and the author as an “expert” there shows the pros and cons of Black’s setup. He manages to find several new ideas, thus proving that Black can’t fully equalize.
Chapter 9 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 g6 5.cxd5
In this chapter, the author provides us with an alternative for White on move 5.
The positions after 5.cxd5 cxd5 resemble the Exchange Slav . The position is not simple and Black needs to play very carefully to equalize. The objective conclusion is that Black equalizes with an accurate play.
Chapter 10 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5
The arising positions are very interesting and sharp. Delchev suggests several improvements to the current theory and finds White’s position preferable.
Chapter 11 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Be7
Here after the moves 7.Nc3 0-0, we achieve one of the starting positions of Queens Gambit Declined.
The author suggests 8.Rd1 and explains the arising positions in detail.
Chapter 12 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.Nbd2
This setup is an alternative to the main lines. White’s main goal is to reach the Catalan type of position after 6…Be7 7.g3! (6…Qa5 is well met by 7.a3! with an advantage for White)
Chapter 13 – 26 are dedicated to the main reply for Black after 4.Qc2 – the move 4…dxc4
Chapter 13 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nc3 Nbd7
The positions after 5…Bg4 are quite unbalanced. The author's preference is to meet this move with the calm 6.Nbd2, but he also analyses the alternative and the more sharp line 6.Nc3.
In this chapter, the Delchev makes an overview of the line with 6…Nbd7 which is the strongest move for Black in his opinion.
Chapter 14 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nc3 Bxf3
The move 6…Bxf3 is significantly worse than 6…Nbd7 and offers White excellent attacking possibilities.
Chapter 15 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nbd2 Nbd7 7.g3 e6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qb3
In this chapter, the author starts investigating the more positional 6.Nbd2. According to him, this is the strongest reply to 5…Bg4. The mainline continues Nbd7 7.g3 e6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 where White is on a crossroad. In this chapter, you will find analyzed the move 10.Qb3
Chapter 16 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nbd2 Nbd7 7.g3 e6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.b3
This chapter deals with 10.b3 which is White's most natural option. Black has many possible plans here, but he must hurry to create concrete counterplay by c6-c5, as otherwise, he risks falling under pressure once White completes the bind with Bb2, Rac1, Rfd1.
Chapter 17 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bg4 6.Nbd2 Nbd7 7.g3 e6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ne5
The idea behind this natural move is to exchange a pair of knights and to win more space in the centre by means of e2-e4 which will leave Black’s bishop out of play. The inventor of this idea is the great Hungarian Grandmaster Lajos Portisch. Nowadays this system it is preferred by many outstanding theoreticians like GM’s Harikrishna, Ivanchuk, Vitiugov, Bologan , Vaganian, and many others.
Chapter 18 – 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5
This is the most solid choice for Black. The advantage of this move compared to 5…Bg4 is that from here the bishop is controlling the e4-square and is not under attack after Ne5.
The mainline continues 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0
Black's most popular choice here is the move 8…Be7, but in this chapter, the author examines the solid alternative 8…Nb6.
The main idea is revealed after 9.Qb3 Qd5. Black wants to enter the slightly inferior endgame.
Chapter 19 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 Bd6
Black prepares to challenge the centre by means of e6-e5. The move is less popular than the mainline – 8…Be7 mainly because of the following line 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Nh4! and White is better in all the lines.
Chapter 20 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7
This is the main line of the variation with 4.Qc2. The theory continues – 9.e3 0-0 10.Rd1
In this chapter, the author deals with 10…Qb6 which fails to equalize.
Chapter 21 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.e3 0-0 10.Rd1 e5
The immediate strike in the centre is quite interesting but fails to equalize. The best reaction for White is 11.Nc3 Qc7 12.e4! with an advantage.
Chapter 22 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.e3 0-0 10.Rd1 Rc8
The author praises this move a lot and examines it in details. He manages to find new and unexplored ideas and proves that White’s play is easier.
Chapter 23 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.e3 0-0 10.Rd1 Qc7
This is the main option for Black. Delchev has experience here with both colours and makes a full overview of the variation. He found a new idea which questions Black’s chances to equalize.
Chapter 24 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 e6 6.Bg5
The variation with 5…e6 is slightly passive. As usual White has a choice between 6.Bg5 and 6.g3. The author analyzes both. In this chapter, you will find the more active 6.Bg5
Chapter 25 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 e6 6.g3
This line transposes to the Catalan. The equalizing line is quite narrow and If Black doesn’t know it can easily get into trouble.
Chapter 26 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qb3 e6 5.Bg5
The variation with 4.Qb3 is also quite playable. After 4…dxc4 we transpose to the lines analyzed earlier in the database. The main differences are after 4…e6 and 4…g6.
In this chapter, the author analyzes the position after 4…e6 5.Bg5
In this position, he checks 6 different options for Black. The objective conclusion is that Black equalizes in this line.
Chapter 27 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qb3 e6 5.g3
The most ambitious try for White is to seek an advantage in Catalan type of positions.
Delchev provides us with interesting ideas and proves that Black’s task is far from easy.
Chapter 28 - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qb3 g6
This move is inaccurate after 4.Qb3. White easily achieves a stable advantage after 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Bg5!
White starts creating threats and Black's position is unpleasant.
Model Games
At the end of the database, GM Delchev provides 10 model games which at the same time are historically important for the development of the variation.