Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Stahlberg Variation

ECO D49

Move order

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 axb5 13. Qf3

Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Stahlberg Variation (D49)abcdefgh12345678

Ideas

ECO D covers queen-pawn games and closed structures, including many Gambits and the Queen's Gambit complex. White builds a pawn center and keeps the position more closed than after 1. e4. This entry tracks a longer branch in the opening tree. Use the diagram and SAN list to recognize the tabiya, then try the line against Maia to explore typical plans in practice.

Play this opening against Maia