QGD vs Slav Defense

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Kramposian

Which one is more solid and safer for securing a draw?

SchachMatt

Do you mean mainline slav or semi-slav? also this question is too broad for a single thread, you can't generalize openings this way.  I can tell you the Slav is considered drawish, but you don't have to play it that way.  I have also heard that the Slav is only a potent weapon against an opponent that is trying to win.  I forget which great player said that.  If you want a great book on the QGD, you should check out Declining the Queen's Gambit, from Everyman Chess.  It shows some really great variations on formerly painful variations in the QGD such as the Exchange, that now are played more akin to the Berlin Defense, where black is doing well.

Kramposian
SchachMatt wrote:

Do you mean mainline slav or semi-slav? also this question is too broad for a single thread, you can't generalize openings this way.  I can tell you the Slav is considered drawish, but you don't have to play it that way.  I have also heard that the Slav is only a potent weapon against an opponent that is trying to win.  I forget which great player said that.  If you want a great book on the QGD, you should check out Declining the Queen's Gambit, from Everyman Chess.  It shows some really great variations on formerly painful variations in the QGD such as the Exchange, that now are played more akin to the Berlin Defense, where black is doing well.

I meant the Slav Defense, not the Semi-Slav. Which opening is better if you're playing not to lose? Which one is the better drawing weapon?

vikram014

In all the games I've played in my life, I've never lost with the semi-slav.

Kramposian
[COMMENT DELETED]
Kramposian
vikram014 wrote:

In all the games I've played in my life, I've never lost with the semi-slav.

The Semi-Slav is sharper than the Queen's Gambit Declined and Slav Defense.

sionyn
Fear_ItseIf

Id say the QGD is safer. 

Personally im not a massive fan of playing against the mainline dutch, which is a torture. Or playing against Geller's gambit, which is objectively 'equal' but very scary to play against, and practically I find better for white, since if black makes a mistake its GG.

varelse1
vikram014 wrote:

In all the games I've played in my life, I've never lost with the semi-slav.

Quick question: Have you ever played the semi-slav in your life?

vikram014

Yes, I've done it eight times( 5 draws and 3 wins), both online and in tournaments.

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