najdorfslayer wrote on 07/28/14 at 14:31:27:

It's a bit old but maybe "Opening for Black according to Karpov" is something for you? And you get the Caro-Kann for free!

Edit: I don't know what happened to the quote...

I had Sakaev's book, but sold it. I couldn't stand the poor layout. But thanks for posting his recommendations. I will have a better look at the whole line now that I am back at home.

Yes, the Nimzo-Indian is my next project too. I also need to start learning how to play it properly!

Sakaev thinks that 7...Rc8 is the only move to fully equalise. As Black in these positions you have to know how you are going to deal with Qb3 and with check or pressure on the a4-e8 diagonal. Sakaev goes about this in brief as follows:

8.Nf3 e6 9.Qb3 Bb4 10.Ne5 Qa5;
8.Qb3 Na5 9. Qa4+ Bd7 10.Bb5 a6 11.Bd7+ Nd7;
8.Bb5 e6 9.Nf3 Nd7.

If I understand correctly (and not just in these specific lines, but more generally):

Before ...e6 is played, you can meet Qb3 with ...Na5, as checks on the a4-e8 diagonal can be met with ...Bd7;
After ...e6 has been played, meeting Qb3 with ...Bb4 is solid but ...Na5 tends to be tactically vulnerable (as Cramling demonstrated, although this tactic comes up quite a bit in similar positions).

Obviously there is a lot more to be said; these positions are very intricate. Around this time of the year I always have to ask myself whether I am prepared to spend another season defending the Black side of the Exchange Slav, or will I finally get round to learning the Nimzo properly....

I haven't 7.Rc1 in my repertoire-file either. I will look into it.

As I am currently trying to adjust my repertoire against the Exchange Slav, I had a look at the game Cramling-Blomqvist and couldn't find anything on this in Avrukh's GM17. And it is not mentioned in Play the Slav or in The Slav: Move by Move. I don't have Play the Semi-Slav here right not, but can't find it in my files on it either. I have The Slav by Burgess at home so I can't check it now. Lastly, I couldn't find anything in the Chesspub-material.

All the mentioned sources that don't rely on ...Qb6 only seem to assume that White plays Nf3 quite early. In this game, White waits with 7. Rc1. Are there any ways to take advantage of this for Black, or is it just a better move order for White, who usually plays this move in most variations?

I have added a PGN-file with some notes.