The Triangle Setup - A complete defense against 1.d4

Semi-Slav (1.d4 d5 followed by ...e7-e6 and ...c7-c6) is one of the most popular Black opening systems. Black can follow two different concepts. Early ...Ng8-f6 leads to a number of popular and extensively analyzed systems: Merano Variation, Anti-Merano, Botvinnik Variation, Moscow Variation, Anti-Moscow, Westphalian Variation, etc. The other concept, where Black foregoes early ...Ng8-f6, is explained by GM Michal Krasenkow on this DVD. If White plays e2-e3 early, Black has the choice between two double-edged systems: the Noteboom Variation (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 dxc4) and the Stonewall Setup (...f7-f5). Of course, Black's refusal to play ...Ng8-f6 early gives White other options, the most important being the Slav Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 etc.). Thus, Black's setup can lead to a number of different and interesting positions that help Black to expand his strategic and tactical understanding. This makes the Noteboom/Stonewall opening repertoire particularly suitable for young aspiring players.