Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5

ECO D47

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation is a chess opening line in the Semi-Slav Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5.

It is catalogued under code D47 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move b5 is chosen by Black on move 7.

10 named continuations branch from this position, including the Lundin Variation and the Wade Variation.

Named variations

• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Lundin Variation — ECO D47
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Wade Variation — ECO D47
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation — ECO D48
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation — ECO D48
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Reynolds' Variation — ECO D48
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Blumenfeld Variation — ECO D49
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rabinovich Variation — ECO D49
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack — ECO D49
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Sozin Variation — ECO D49
• Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Stahlberg Variation — ECO D49

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Slav Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.