Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Nf3/4...e6/5. e3/5...Nbd7/6. Bd3/6...dxc4/7. Bxc4/7...b5/8. Bd3/8...a6

Meran variation D47-D49 Semi-Slav 8...a6 Black protects the b-pawn so they can play 9...c5 without blundering a pawn. Foreseeing this plan, White should play actively and take over the center with /9. e4/, preparing to open up the center with either 10. d5 or 10. e5 and opening up the dark-squared bishop. Less provocative setups have been tried as well. At the amateur level /9. O-O/ is very popular, but this poses no problems for players with the black pieces at all, since they score quite well in this line. Another move that is played often is /9. a4/. White does better than after 9. O-O, but has lost quite a bit of initiative. Theory table Old variation 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 Reynold's variation 9. ... ... 10. d5 c4 9. O-O c5 10. a4 b4 11. Ne4 Bb7 9. a4 b4 10. Ne4 c5 11. O-O Bb7 References Semi-Slav Defence Meran Variation: 6.Bd3