QGD - where does the bishop belong?

I was wondering why Be7 is so popular and Bd6 is one of the least popular moves after 4.e3.

Why would I play, without Bg5 on the board, Be7?
Is Bd6 not a better place for my bishop? Looking after the e5 square and after white castled having pressure on h2.

Any ideas/thoughts?

actually I am a slav player so I have less Idea, but I prefer Be7 as bishop can come first than the e3 pawn .... but after 4. e3,
as you said, Bd6 looks better

cool game

I would think 5. c5 pushes you back to Be7 anyway. So moving to Be7 doesn't waste a move.

Just my patzer take on it; please correct me if I'm mistaken.

@mingussf said in #4:
> I would think 5. c5 pushes you back to Be7 anyway. So moving to Be7 doesn't waste a move.
>
> Just my patzer take on it; please correct me if I'm mistaken.
you are right, but I like my position after 5.c5 Be7 and the 6...b6 and 7.....a5 like moves, breaking up white's queenside

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bd6 5. c5?! Be7 6. Bd3 b6 7. b4 a5
sample analysis
black here gains a decent position and white will find a bit difficult to escape without losing an advantage

@Bhavik1000 said in #6:
> 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bd6 5. c5?! Be7 6. Bd3 b6 7. b4 a5
> sample analysis
> black here gains a decent position and white will find a bit difficult to escape without losing an advantage
I did multiple lines after 5. c5 with the engine and I didn't see any lines that give White more of an advantage than +0.4. I'd stick with it if you like it.

How often does white kick you back with 5. c5? I play Queen's gambit and I'd be happy that you're not going to Bg5, so I would likely just keep developing with the light-squared bishop or the knight.

ya... if he does not attack our bishop on d6 then we have placed a strong piece on a square definitely better than e7. we can continue developing after that from moves like Nbd7, b6, 0-0, c5 etc.

To my human eyes c5 by white seems suspicious if black can play b6. In my experience oftentimes it just gives away a free pawn.
Funnily enough SF disagrees, says c5 is one of the best moves after Bd6 so what do I know