Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Sozin Variation (D49)

The Meran Variation, Sozin Variation is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense, catalogued as ECO D49. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 axb5 13. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 25 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after 13 moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black’s b-file pawn is isolated; the c-file file is fully open.

On the Semi-Slav Defense generally: A complex defense combining ideas from the Slav and Queen's Gambit Declined.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Position characteristics

• Black material edge
• Isolated pawn
• Open file

Related Semi-Slav Defense lines

• Meran Variation, Blumenfeld Variation
• Meran Variation, Rabinovich Variation
• Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack
• Meran Variation, Sozin Variation
• Meran Variation, Stahlberg Variation
• Quiet Variation
• Quiet Variation
• Anti-Noteboom, Stonewall Variation, Portisch Gambit
• Gunderam Gambit

See all 63 Semi-Slav Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Meran Variation, Sozin Variation?

The Meran Variation, Sozin Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 axb5 13. O-O. It is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense and is catalogued as ECO D49.

What is the ECO code for the Meran Variation, Sozin Variation?

The Meran Variation, Sozin Variation is ECO D49. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Semi-Slav Defense.

Is the Meran Variation, Sozin Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 axb5 13. O-O at +0.09 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Meran Variation, Sozin Variation lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black’s b-file pawn is isolated; the c-file file is fully open.