Hi, i am very new to chess. I started playing about 6 months ago, so the
solution to the question i have may be obvious, but i cannot see it.

From what i have read the slav defense goes like
1.d4 d5
2.c4 c6
i.e. black does not take the gambit and decides on strengthening his d5
pawn.

next, (as you all know) the main variations are like 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3, the
goal developing a piece and defending d4 (in case of Nf3) or preparing
e4 (in case of Nc3).

What about 3.b3 ?
white could defend c4 and try to gain control of the queenside with a
nice pawn structure. maybe sometime in the future playing c5 and b4.
Well, as i could not find any comments on this move the pawn structure
resulting from it may not be so nice and the move may not be
recommended, but i fail to see why.

Could anybody here help me?

Thanks,
Tobias

In article ,
Tobias Heidelmann wrote:

1.d4 d5
2.c4 c6
i.e. black does not take the gambit and decides on strengthening his d5
pawn.

next, (as you all know) the main variations are like 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3, the
goal developing a piece and defending d4 (in case of Nf3) or preparing
e4 (in case of Nc3).

What about 3.b3 ?
white could defend c4 and try to gain control of the queenside with a
nice pawn structure. maybe sometime in the future playing c5 and b4.
Well, as i could not find any comments on this move the pawn structure
resulting from it may not be so nice and the move may not be
recommended, but i fail to see why.

Well, you're violating opening principles, for starters, by moving pawns
which you don't have to move.

c4 doesn't really need pawn support. You're defending it, from what? An
eventual e-pawn move (which furthers white's development) does the same
thing, but really, white doesn't want to discourage black from
abandoning the center.

b3 also takes moves like Qb3 (with double attack on d4 and b7 - it's a
very thematic move) or Qa5 (which works well with moves like Nf3-e5)
away from white.

-Ron

Ron schrieb:

Well, you're violating opening principles, for starters, by moving pawns
which you don't have to move.

c4 doesn't really need pawn support. You're defending it, from what? An
eventual e-pawn move (which furthers white's development) does the same
thing, but really, white doesn't want to discourage black from
abandoning the center.

b3 also takes moves like Qb3 (with double attack on d4 and b7 - it's a
very thematic move) or Qa5 (which works well with moves like Nf3-e5)
away from white.

-Ron

ok, thanks. so basically the pawn on c4 is an encouragement for white to
leave d5. i guess that is why it is called a gambit. sometimes i just
cannot see the obvious.
thank you for mentioning the queen moves. i have trouble finding good
moves in a given opening position.

Tobias

ok, thanks. so basically the pawn on c4 is an encouragement for white to
leave d5. i guess that is why it is called a gambit. sometimes i just
cannot see the obvious.
thank you for mentioning the queen moves. i have trouble finding good
moves in a given opening position.

You need to practise Chess a lot. I think your rating is 1200+ You
should play at GetClub Chess with Beginner Level. I am also 1100
Rated. Beginner is 1800+

Play Chess: http://www.GetClub.com/Chess.html

Have a game Daily and you will find your game improved a lot. It plays
Opening moves in the beginning and then a very strong Middle game.

Beginner: 5-10 sec/ move. So you can complete a game with beginner
Level in just 5 min.

Bye
Sanny

Play Chess at: http://www.GetClub.com/Chess.html