Yes Antillian, you're right . I need anather source than Avrukh for a couple of reasons.

1. It's to complex for me.
2. I do not like all the lines he is recommending, for example:

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Qb6

So I need a replacement for that. I know about a line, where you trade on d5 and play Qb3 (after handling the pin) to put pressure on d5 and b7. Maybe that's a better line for me, but at first it looks a little dull.

Ward's "Play the QG" covers 4.e3 all-be-it after 3.Nc3.
This is a much simpler book to read than Avrukh's.
It too covers Shabalov's line (with g4), while covering all options along the way during 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3.
(also covers QG Ex with Nge2, 3.e4 in the QGA, and other minor line).

There is the Chess Stars book on the Anti-Meran:

Latest trends in the Semi-Slav: Anti-Meran
by Sakaev/Semkov 2005

which covers it´s subject in detail. But this subject is very limited, the 6.Dc2 line (=Anti-Meran), concentrating on
-7.g4, the Shabalov-Shirov line
-Slow-Slav 7.Bd3/Be2
- Black sidelines in this move order

If you want to play one of these lines, the book with it´s very detailed coverage of all critical lines is invaluable, with two drawbacks:

- 7.g4 was too trendy since 2005 to use a 4 year old book as only resource.
- It´s out of print and almost completely unavailabe on the market


That apart, its a great book and maybe the only detailed and almost up to date source for White one those variations

Hi,

Does anyone know a book on the 4. e3 slav variation, a little more basic than Avrukh's 1. d4 with explanatory prose?

Thanks

PS I don't like "starting out: slav and semi-slav" by Glenn Flear on this topic (to basic)