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Semi-Slav Defense

Accelerated Meran Variation

D45solidpositional

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.e3e6
  5. 5.Nf3a6
1,812 games50%46%

Semi-Slav line in which Black plays 5...a6 instead of 5...Nbd7, a solid and less common way to prepare queenside expansion with ...b5.

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About the Accelerated Meran Variation

The Accelerated Meran Variation replaces the usual 5...Nbd7 of the Semi-Slav Main Line with 5...a6. This is an uncommon move but a solid one. The pawn move prepares ...dxc4 followed by ...b5 without first committing the queen's knight. Some sources give the line its Meran name. White most often answers 6. Bd3, and the main alternatives are 6. cxd5 and 6. Be2. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores slightly better in Lichess games.

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