Meran Variation, Wade Variation
- 1.d4d5
- 2.c4c6
- 3.Nc3Nf6
- 4.e3e6
- 5.Nf3Nbd7
- 6.Bd3dxc4
- 7.Bxc4b5
- 8.Bd3Bb7
776 games
Semi-Slav Meran line in which Black plays 8...Bb7, developing the bishop before ...a6; sharp, theoretical and roughly balanced.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Wade Variation
The Wade Variation, 8...Bb7, develops the queen's bishop at once and postpones ...a6, keeping ...b4 and ...c5 in reserve. White most often castles with 9. O-O. The sharper 9. e4 b4 10. Na4 c5 11. e5 Nd5 is the Larsen Variation, in which 12. O-O cxd4 13. Nxd4 constitutes the Kaidanov Gambit. Engines judge the position close to balanced, and Lichess results are nearly level.