There is no opening I hate facing more.
Especially when playing lower rated opponents, who often play for a draw, facing the Exchange Slav is extremely annoying. It’s a symmetrical opening in which creating imbalances is nearly impossible without one side making a mistake or a concession.
I got my chance in this game, though. My opponent allowed me to change the nature of the position and make the pawn structure imbalanced. I pushed for a win. And pushed. And stopped.
Silver Lake Open, Round 6
Maschenko T. (1754) – Tomic S. (1928)
Slav Defense, Exchange Variation
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