Chordal graphs are important in algorithmic graph theory. Chordal digraphs are a digraph analogue of chordal graphs and have been a subject of active studies recently. Unlike chordal graphs, chordal digraphs lack many structural properties such as forbidden subdigraph or representation characterizations. In this paper we introduce the notion of semi-strict chordal digraphs which form a class strictly between chordal digraphs and chordal graphs. Semi-strict chordal digraphs have rich structural properties. We characterize semi-strict chordal digraphs in terms of knotting graphs, a notion analogous to the one introduced by Gallai for the study of comparability graphs. We also give forbidden subdigraph characterizations of semi-strict chordal digraphs within the cases of locally semicomplete digraphs and weakly quasi-transitive digraphs.