Why is The Slav The Best Beginner Opening vs 1.d4

My Course: www.chessable.com/the-club-pl...
Welcome back to the channel, chess enthusiasts! In today’s video, we dive into why the Slav Defense is considered one of the best opening for beginners against 1.d4. The Slav Defense offers a solid and straightforward approach, with special emphasis on the free development of the c8 Bishop, thus making it an ideal choice for players new to the game.
We'll explore the key ideas behind the Slav Defense, highlighting its strengths such as the active development of the light-squared bishop and the creation of an active position compared to more passive structures such as most QGD mian lines. Whether you're looking to improve your chess openings or just curious about why this defense is so highly recommended, this video is for you!
In this video, you will learn:
The fundamental principles of the Slav Defense.
How to effectively develop your pieces.
The advantages of the Slav over the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD).
Tips on transitioning to active positions from passive ones.
Don't forget to check out my Chessable course for more in-depth lessons on the Slav Defense!

[@JoanRaba21]

I paid the big bucks for your course a couple months ago... So far it has scored 75% OTB... So yeah, thanks coach

[@ericwagner6839]

Great video Andras! I also struggled with facing 1.d4 before incorporating the Slav into my repertoire. Like you emphasize in the video, I prioritize getting out the bad bishop and trading it off with a London, Caro Kann, and Slav repertoire! These 3 positions are very similar and I can get almost the same familiar position every game. As a result of making this switch, and playing regular 10-minute games, I've been able to boost my rating from 1150 to 1400 rapid in just a few months!

[@kesetokaiba]

Another quality video. I have played the Slav Defense for many years. Ever since the last few years, I've been playing the Semi-Slav Defense instead. I enjoy the sharp, yet positionally deep battles of that opening. Of course, there are many other great options out there and I still have a soft-spot for the mainline pure Slav :)

[@guyainsworth61]

Thanks for this recommendation. I started using the Slav a while back and it is now my staple response.

[@JoseDownUnder]

Great video coach. I was checking out your other Slav videos few days back and just started to learn Slav bit by bit after I was recommended to checkout your beginner d4-d5 course (with focus on Slav). I think it helps intermediate players like me (1500 FIDE) as well.

[@ChessCoachAndras]

@@JoseDownUnderglad to hear! Btw , we rebranded it to club players’ from beginners as we found that it’s a lot more suitable for that cohort!

[@TikariChess]

I’ve enjoyed playing the Slav using your course since I switched from a combo of Nimzo/Bogo. I much prefer seeing d4 to e4 from my opponent now.

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Great to hear!

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Legend, thanks a lot!

[@simonhinkel4086]

Got your Slav Course last winter. First time, I'm feeling comfortable against 1. d4, 1. Kf3 ect. Was definetly worth the money 🙂🥳

[@SkibidiMiquella]

Knight in notation is N so knight to f3 is written as Nf3. King moves use K

[@squattr1055]

@@SkibidiMiquella 1.Kf3 is the Postmodern Bongcloud

[@blazevandine5819]

Thanks!

[@KaiParkinson-eh7zg]

Still waiting to see a rating climb series with you using your chessable courses!

[@ivanmoya7011]

I agree on your choice. Interesting to know what opening do you recommend next against 1.d4

[@ChessCoachAndras]

@@ivanmoya7011 if you look around the channel you will see I recommend lots of stuff. There is a cool intro video on the Benko gambit for example !

[@petersiegfriedkrug]

Interesting

[@chickenmessiah]

At 8:20, I think it’s pronounced “knight see fork.”

[@connormonday]

In defense of 2…e6 vs 2…c6 on principle, 2…e6 is a developing move.

[@ChessCoachAndras]

In defence of me I said in the video that e6 is perfectly fine!:)

[@hilarykahn3771]

could u do a stream about the 5. Bxc4 gambit line in the vienna qgd?

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Very specific but maybe. Btw it’s 6.bxc4 isn’t ?

[@hilarykahn3771]

Yes that’s correct. I don’t think I quite understand those positions well, your teaching would be greatly appreciated

[@user-jd8vd1kj1w]

Dear coach, Would you rather pick Slav over KID and why? Since I know your fan of KID too.

[@haraldsteaksauce4582]

Is the exchange variation something to worry about for black? Lets say a 2000 plays otb with black vs a 1700 (white) who plays 3.cxd5 . Is there enough play left to fight for a win as black? A friend of mine is in the aforementioned situation and says he needs a different opening vs lower rated opponents.

[@tmbhbnt8281]

I thought you had some videos recommending the Nimzo against 1. d4

[@ChessCoachAndras]

@@tmbhbnt8281 I recommend more than 1 thing….chess is a vast universe !

[@FredPlanatia]

the nimzo is a very logical opening with sound chess principles but there are many many lines you have to learn.

[@robinesperoza]

Nimzo is great and you'll face a million different pawn structures. Slav is a bit easier to wrap your head around. I'm planning on playing both openings for diversity's sake.

[@chesslover8829]

I have a question. Why do stong players still play the QGD when they could play the Slav or Semi-Slav?

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Because on the highest level the priority for Black is not to play to win but to play to not lose. And the QGD serves the latter approach better.

[@chesslover8829]

@@ChessCoachAndras Outstanding! You are a great coach! There will be times in which losing for me will be something to avoid. Nevertheless, the Slav and Semi-Slav are great openings.

[@robinesperoza]

I think there is another reason. Andras mentioned how cramped positions feel discerning. If you are a GM and have seen thousands of games and ideas you are not that concerned, don't feel stressed and have business as usual. Sometimes evaluating a position should take into account the skill of the players involved.

[@cnydo]

How do I beat the slav?

[@ChessCoachAndras]

@@cnydo Geller gambit! Per my 1.d4 course :)

[@cnydo]

@@ChessCoachAndras I play Catalan and the pyramid pawn structure is really a pain to play against

[@noahz]

Too bad so few

[@ChessCoachAndras]

@@noahz my course covers those in detail too. But you are right, the lower you go the more sidelines you get.

[@skriabinfly]

Because millions of London System players cannot be bothered to play a different pawn structure or a different piece placement. 🤣

[@ChessCoachAndras]

there is that too!:)

[@yuan813j]

the slav defense is similar to the caro kann defense so if you are not a caro kann player you will struggle in the slav defense. that is how i feel.

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Your idea is right, but the way you put it is not. Being a Caro player can be helpful to understand Slav structures and ideas. I never played the caro in my life for a second and I still do rather well with the Slav. On that note....: The generic idea when learning openings is not to make it all identical/similar . It is the opposite... You should embrace all kinds of structures...

[@user-gg6df4xr3i]

its the reversed London,and you dont like the london coach?

[@andrewmayo9400]

the problem with the london is that it's unambitious, whereas the slav fights for equality, not an advantage. The london concedes equality from move 2 when white doesn't have to.

[@isaakvandaalen3899]

Slav is not quite a reversed London, the nature of the positions are quite different.