Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 9.e4 b4

ECO D48

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation is a chess opening line in the Semi-Slav Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 9.e4 b4.

It is catalogued under code D48 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move b4 is chosen by Black on move 9.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Opening Tricks Hall of Fame 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.