This was super helpful. I'm wanting to dip my toe into the semi-slav, and every video out there seems to start at move 5. This answered every question I had.
Party People !! Tony Ro's in the house !! Finally. Something in a long while. Seriously considering playing semi-slav sometime. Thanks for the shout-out Tony :-)
Good vid, I think it covers most of the issues fairly well. I think you mentioned it briefly in passing but IMO the lines where White delays Nc3 and goes for a Nf3 e3 setup (or Nf3-Qc2 vs the triangle) can be at least somewhat dangerous for Black. That's partially why, as you mention, many authors avoid it by going for the other lines in the slav like 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5/Bg4/a6/etc. For me, I dislike all of these lines (and this Nf3 e3 setup is rather popular vs the slav) as well as the Slav exchange. So I prefer to allow the Marshall. I also think that for some players starting with 1...Nf6 can be a consideration, since you can meet 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 with the Nimzo, and then play 3...d5 only against 3. Nf3. This avoids the Marshall,QGD Exchange, and Slav Exchange. Of course the nimzo is another huge complex, but it is considered theoretically pretty decent for Black. I think most of the top players tend to enter the semi-slav thru this move order for that reason.
Thanks! Yeah I didn't have time to actually delve into the theory, but I'm confident that Black has answers in the Nf3+e3 lines, and all those early deviations. I think the main issue is whether or not someone who's looking for some really combative Semi-Slav main lines will want to play them, just like you. ;) Yes the Nimzo move order is a good one, though it allows the Tromp, Veresov, etc. As I posted above in another comment, I think it's unlikely that if you need a TonyRo vid to sort out the move order issues, then you're also unlikely to want to pick up both the Nimzo and Semi-Slav. It's probably easier to pair the Nimzo with the Exchange-less QGD in that case. Though that's a little on the less sharp side!
Shout out back to you, Party Tony! Nice to hear you're doing well with work, ladies, music. Perfectly fine to enjoy that and put this chess stuff on standby, gotta enjoy all the parts of life :) And whenever you do upload a video, it's very much appreciated! I quite like these opening nuance videos, there's not much like this out there, and I'm too lazy or not interested enough to really study openings deeply. So for me this helps a ton, thanks!
I am well indeed Tony. Finally about to graduate sometime relatively soon, so that feels like a good start to the year. Glad to hear you like to see me swim, I always appreciate swimming in these party people waters ;) I hope you are well too, Tony.
Yay! Tony is back! Love these move order vids and I'm glad you changed the pieces. Also, what about the triangle move order with 2...e6 & 3...c6? That would avoid the popular Bg5 Exchange QGD AND the exchange slav and it seems less likely that you get a catalan as well (compared to 2...e6 3...Nf6).
Thanks TNan! Yes that should be covered in the vid - definitely the most combative move order, but allows the very scary (at least to me) Marshall Gambit.
Tonyyy fuckingg Rotellaaa :DD haven't seen you in while, missed you! Btw as always great video and high quality! I need to say that, because you are for sure in the top 3 chess video-youtuber's if you rank by quality!! I am new to Semi-Slav, gave up on KID since that is bottomless pit of mainlines :D gave up on Nimzo since they always avoid it with Nf3 (those bastards :p ) tried QID when they play Nf3 but I think I don't understand those positions very well I lost couple games making some lets say normal looking moves or trades only that in next 5-6 moves found out that I am positionally destroyed! (maybe I quitted on QID too fast, maybe shoulda give it more time but anyway) That leads us to Semi-Slav (btw i used this book as guide Grandmaster Repertoire-Schandorff if you have some in mind please tell me because I couldn't find many books on Semi-Slav or even Slav either(would be nice to mix it up a little). This move order issue wasn't explained in book but I saw that there is a problem with it because most people play as you said d4-c4 then cxd4 or 4. Nc3 and then cxd4, Bg5....! So its really nice, for someone to put it up :D! Your knowledge on openings as always do not disappoint :D Wish you all best my friend :D
One last request for a future video, Tony. Could you please go over move order issues for White when he wishes to move into the main lines of the Dutch Defense as White against The Classical Dutch, Dutch Stonewall, and Dutch Leningrad? Should I play 2 c4, 2 Nf3, or 2 g3 against the Dutch? I suppose I would like to punish move order inaccuracies by those playing the Dutch Stonewall with the black pieces, if there is no other benefit for White to play one move order over the other two options at his disposal. No one ever seems to address this anywhere, and I have been playing chess for a good while over the course of my life (I chess tutor children on the side as well). Thanks one last time, Tony-Everett Kalafatis
i love the move order videos. one thing though: can you NOT start the video with a black screen? i refreshed several times to see if it was a problem on my end before i figured it out
Great video Tony. I'm interested as a Noteboom / Triangle / Semi-Slav Meran player. I also have to consider what to play after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3. To maintain the chance of the Noteboom I play 2. Nf3 e6. This restricts what you can play against the London. After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 I play 2..., c5 to allow me to get into a Caro Kann exchange. However, this doesn't work with the 2.Nf3 move order ! Any ideas ?
I think the system with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Ndb2 cxd4 7.exd4 Nh5!? is playable for Black and tricky for White to meet. I don't see the need for 2...c5 against Bf4 - you can slim down your repertoire by simply meeting 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 and 2.Bf4 with 2...e6.
I'll think about it, but that's a long-ass video! :D To be honest my Reddit videos get a lot of views (relatively speaking), but no one watches them for that long. Maybe a series!
@@TonyRotella please make this video, the silician videos were arguably the best online chess videos I have ever seen. Moreso, the botvinnick and anti-moscow should be really fun to cover. cheers.
Very valid point, and basically the point as to why I didn't mention it. Someone who needs this video is also very unlikely to want to learn both the Nimzo and the Semi-Slav just to avoid an annoying line or two. :)
@@TonyRotella I agree 100%, its not that practical for club level players, also, I just looked at some QGA lines, and Im wondering why I never checked it before.. seems great..
This was super helpful. I'm wanting to dip my toe into the semi-slav, and every video out there seems to start at move 5. This answered every question I had.
Glad you got something out of it! Thanks for watching!
Party People !! Tony Ro's in the house !! Finally. Something in a long while. Seriously considering playing semi-slav sometime.
Thanks for the shout-out Tony :-)
You da man!
Yay a Tony Ro video!!!
I'll be eagerly awaiting for your next series on dating move orders.
You da man Scott! Don't hold your breath, I'm still like...a 1200 there. :)
Ur back! We missed you
I missed you guys too!
Thank you, Mr. Ro.
You're welcome Mr. D. Errrr...
You are the best instructor in Internet ... please post more videos ... explore King's Indian Defence specially Sämisch Variation: 5.f3
Good vid, I think it covers most of the issues fairly well.
I think you mentioned it briefly in passing but IMO the lines where White delays Nc3 and goes for a Nf3 e3 setup (or Nf3-Qc2 vs the triangle) can be at least somewhat dangerous for Black. That's partially why, as you mention, many authors avoid it by going for the other lines in the slav like 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5/Bg4/a6/etc. For me, I dislike all of these lines (and this Nf3 e3 setup is rather popular vs the slav) as well as the Slav exchange. So I prefer to allow the Marshall.
I also think that for some players starting with 1...Nf6 can be a consideration, since you can meet 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 with the Nimzo, and then play 3...d5 only against 3. Nf3. This avoids the Marshall,QGD Exchange, and Slav Exchange. Of course the nimzo is another huge complex, but it is considered theoretically pretty decent for Black. I think most of the top players tend to enter the semi-slav thru this move order for that reason.
Thanks! Yeah I didn't have time to actually delve into the theory, but I'm confident that Black has answers in the Nf3+e3 lines, and all those early deviations. I think the main issue is whether or not someone who's looking for some really combative Semi-Slav main lines will want to play them, just like you. ;)
Yes the Nimzo move order is a good one, though it allows the Tromp, Veresov, etc. As I posted above in another comment, I think it's unlikely that if you need a TonyRo vid to sort out the move order issues, then you're also unlikely to want to pick up both the Nimzo and Semi-Slav. It's probably easier to pair the Nimzo with the Exchange-less QGD in that case. Though that's a little on the less sharp side!
You're back!!
TRUTH!
Shout out back to you, Party Tony!
Nice to hear you're doing well with work, ladies, music. Perfectly fine to enjoy that and put this chess stuff on standby, gotta enjoy all the parts of life :)
And whenever you do upload a video, it's very much appreciated! I quite like these opening nuance videos, there's not much like this out there, and I'm too lazy or not interested enough to really study openings deeply. So for me this helps a ton, thanks!
The Manatee is still out there swimmin', that's what I like to see. Hope you're well. :)
I am well indeed Tony. Finally about to graduate sometime relatively soon, so that feels like a good start to the year.
Glad to hear you like to see me swim, I always appreciate swimming in these party people waters ;)
I hope you are well too, Tony.
Yay! Tony is back! Love these move order vids and I'm glad you changed the pieces.
Also, what about the triangle move order with 2...e6 & 3...c6? That would avoid the popular Bg5 Exchange QGD AND the exchange slav and it seems less likely that you get a catalan as well (compared to 2...e6 3...Nf6).
Thanks TNan! Yes that should be covered in the vid - definitely the most combative move order, but allows the very scary (at least to me) Marshall Gambit.
I used watched your videos on Najdorf 2 years ago ... please do not get disappeared
Hello Mr. Rotella,
are you still actively playing the Kalashnikov Sicilian?
Kind regards!
As active as I am, yes! ;)
Tonyyy fuckingg Rotellaaa :DD haven't seen you in while, missed you! Btw as always great video and high quality! I need to say that, because you are for sure in the top 3 chess video-youtuber's if you rank by quality!! I am new to Semi-Slav, gave up on KID since that is bottomless pit of mainlines :D gave up on Nimzo since they always avoid it with Nf3 (those bastards :p ) tried QID when they play Nf3 but I think I don't understand those positions very well I lost couple games making some lets say normal looking moves or trades only that in next 5-6 moves found out that I am positionally destroyed! (maybe I quitted on QID too fast, maybe shoulda give it more time but anyway) That leads us to Semi-Slav (btw i used this book as guide Grandmaster Repertoire-Schandorff if you have some in mind please tell me because I couldn't find many books on Semi-Slav or even Slav either(would be nice to mix it up a little). This move order issue wasn't explained in book but I saw that there is a problem with it because most people play as you said d4-c4 then cxd4 or 4. Nc3 and then cxd4, Bg5....! So its really nice, for someone to put it up :D! Your knowledge on openings as always do not disappoint :D Wish you all best my friend :D
One last request for a future video, Tony. Could you please go over move order issues for White when he wishes to move into the main lines of the Dutch Defense as White against The Classical Dutch, Dutch Stonewall, and Dutch Leningrad? Should I play 2 c4, 2 Nf3, or 2 g3 against the Dutch? I suppose I would like to punish move order inaccuracies by those playing the Dutch Stonewall with the black pieces, if there is no other benefit for White to play one move order over the other two options at his disposal. No one ever seems to address this anywhere, and I have been playing chess for a good while over the course of my life (I chess tutor children on the side as well). Thanks one last time, Tony-Everett Kalafatis
i love the move order videos. one thing though: can you NOT start the video with a black screen? i refreshed several times to see if it was a problem on my end before i figured it out
Haha yeah I was worried about this, just wanted the images to pop in. Duly noted! ;)
Great video Tony. I'm interested as a Noteboom / Triangle / Semi-Slav Meran player. I also have to consider what to play after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3. To maintain the chance of the Noteboom I play 2. Nf3 e6. This restricts what you can play against the London. After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 I play 2..., c5 to allow me to get into a Caro Kann exchange. However, this doesn't work with the 2.Nf3 move order ! Any ideas ?
I think the system with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Ndb2 cxd4 7.exd4 Nh5!? is playable for Black and tricky for White to meet. I don't see the need for 2...c5 against Bf4 - you can slim down your repertoire by simply meeting 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 and 2.Bf4 with 2...e6.
@@TonyRotella Fantastic that you replied so quickly. That line looks good and certainly appears to be usable for both London move orders.
i've missed the Andy Samberg of youtube chess
BEST COMMENT OUT OF ALL OF MY TH-cam VIDEOS.
Loved the video! Could you maybe make a Semi-Slav for Black video, similar to the Reddit Opening of the Week Sicilians you did?
I'll think about it, but that's a long-ass video! :D To be honest my Reddit videos get a lot of views (relatively speaking), but no one watches them for that long. Maybe a series!
@@TonyRotella That would be great!
@@TonyRotella please make this video, the silician videos were arguably the best online chess videos I have ever seen. Moreso, the botvinnick and anti-moscow should be really fun to cover. cheers.
Are you one of the author's of lichess?
I think that you forgot the Nimzo move order, its not the most usual thing, but still very possible..
Very valid point, and basically the point as to why I didn't mention it. Someone who needs this video is also very unlikely to want to learn both the Nimzo and the Semi-Slav just to avoid an annoying line or two. :)
@@TonyRotella I agree 100%, its not that practical for club level players, also, I just looked at some QGA lines, and Im wondering why I never checked it before.. seems great..
Yeah! It deviates at the earliest possible moment to get you into "your positions", and it's really quite reasonable.