Meran Variation

The Meran Variation is the central branch of the 5. e3 Semi-Slav. With 6...dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 Black gives up the d5 point but gains queenside space with a tempo against the bishop. The usual follow-up is ...c5, which opens the long diagonal for the light-squared bishop and removes the backward c-pawn from the half-open file. White plays for e3-e4 and central expansion. The name comes from the 1924 Meran (Merano) tournament, where Grünfeld beat Rubinstein with it. The engine rates the position roughly balanced, and Lichess results are almost even.

8. Bd3 is by far the most frequent retreat, with 8. Bb3 and 8. Be2 as alternatives. After 8. Bd3, the Classical 8...a6 secures b5 before ...c5, and 9. e4 c5 leaves White a choice. 10. e5 is the Old Variation; after 10...cxd4 11. Nxb5 (the Blumenfeld) it splits into the Sozin, 11...Nxe5, and the Rabinovich, 11...Ng4. 10. d5 is Reynolds' Variation. The Wade Variation, 8...Bb7, develops the bishop first and keeps ...b4 and ...c5 available without spending time on ...a6. Long doubted, it regained respect largely through Bent Larsen's analysis. 8...b4 is the Lundin Variation. Play is tactical and deeply theoretical.