1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 dxc4! There are a few opening surprises which I am quite sure the average opponent will not be prepared for and an early capture on c4 in the Slav is one of them! Over the course of two 60 minute DVD's I plan to examine both 3 Nc3 dxc4 and 3 Nf3 dxc4. Here are two more than useful lines for Black, slightly offbeat and ambitious, very much in the modern,combative trend, which can win games right out of the opening if White is not careful. White may easily find himself a pawn down for nothing after only a few moves! In this precise position 3...dxc4 is disruptive. Black plans ...b7-b5 and often...b5-b4 hitting the Knight on c3. This is the main difference between this position and 3 Nf3 dxc4. Many top players, with Nakamura as the lead have been using 3...dxc4 in recent times to win games. I recommend you to join them!
In the Slav Defence Black supports his d-pawn with 2...c6. Compared to the move 2...e6 this has the advantage of not blocking in Black’s Bc8, and it makes it possible, in the event of 3.cxd5, to recapture on d5 with a pawn and thus to maintain a central pawn on d5. The Slav Defence enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest and most solid replies to the Queen’s Gambit. It is very popular in both top tournaments and also amateur tournaments.
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