Meran Variation, Lundin Variation

The Lundin Variation, 8...b4, has Black advance the b-pawn immediately instead of preparing it with 8...a6 or 8...Bb7. The push dislodges the c3-knight, which otherwise supports White's e3-e4 advance. White usually answers with 9. Ne4, centralizing the knight and offering an exchange on f6. 9. Ne2 and 9. Na4 are the main alternatives. The line is seldom played. The engine considers the position roughly balanced, and Black scores well in the small Lichess sample.