11. Semi-Slav Meran (Attack with b5 and c5)
One of the most complex systems in chess history: Anand and Kramnik made it a lethal weapon.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 11.Nxb5 axb5 12.exf6 gxf6
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White takes the center with the queen's pawn, already defended by the Queen, and opens the diagonal for the c1 Bishop. The repertoire plan is c4 next move to attack Black's d5 pawn at once.
- 1...d5 – Black answers symmetrically: the d5 pawn prevents e4 and contests the center. White can now hit it from the side with the c-pawn.
- 2.c4 – The Queen's Gambit attacks d5 with a flank pawn. It is not a real sacrifice: after 2...dxc4 White regains the pawn with e3 and Bxc4, or takes the center with e4.
- 2...c6 – Slav Defense: Black supports d5 with the c-pawn and leaves the c8 Bishop's diagonal free, so it can come out to f5 or g4 before ...e6. In return it gives up the ...c5 push for now.
- 3.Nf3 – The Knight defends d4 and controls e5, preventing ...e5. It is the most flexible move: White waits to see where Black's c8 Bishop will go.
- 3...Nf6 – Black develops and defends d5. The main choices now are ...dxc4, ...a6 or ...e6 with the Semi-Slav.
- 4.Nc3 – The Knight attacks d5 a second time and prepares e4. Black can now take on c4, because White does not yet have e3 to recapture at once with the Bishop.
- 4...e6 – Semi-Slav: Black supports d5 with c6 and e6, a very solid structure. The c8 Bishop stays shut in, but Black prepares ...dxc4 followed by ...b5.
- 5.e3 – White chooses the solid path: it supports d4 and prepares Bd3. In exchange it gives up developing the c1 Bishop outside the chain.
- 5...Nbd7 – The Knight develops and prepares ...dxc4 followed by ...b5. Black is ready for the Meran System.
- 6.Bd3 – The Bishop goes to d3 to aim at Black's castled position. Black will use the moment to take on c4 with gain of tempo.
- 6...dxc4 – Black takes on c4 when the Bishop has already moved: White must move it again to recapture.
- 7.Bxc4 – White regains the pawn. The Bishop on c4 is, however, exposed to the ...b5 push.
- 7...b5 – Meran System: Black gains a tempo on the Bishop and space on the queenside. It prepares ...a6 and ...c5.
- 8.Bd3 – The Bishop returns to d3, the best square, aiming toward h7. White prepares e4.
- 8...a6 – Black prepares ...c5 with the support of the b5 pawn. With ...c5 at once, Nxb5 would win a pawn.
- 9.e4 – White takes the center and threatens e5 to chase away the f6 Knight.
- 9...c5 – Black counterattacks d4 and opens the game: it is the push that justifies the whole Meran System.
- 10.e5 – White attacks the f6 Knight and opens the d3 Bishop's diagonal. It is the sharpest line against the Meran.
- 10...cxd4 – Black captures on d4 and attacks the c3 Knight, while his f6 Knight is still attacked by the e5 pawn: both sides have a piece en prise.
- 11.Nxb5 – The threatened Knight takes the b5 pawn and threatens d6 and c7. It is a temporary sacrifice: White recovers with exf6.
- 11...axb5 – Black captures the Knight. Now White regains the piece with exf6.
- 12.exf6 – White captures the f6 Knight. Material is almost level and Black's structure is weakened.
- 12...gxf6 – Black recaptures with the g-pawn, opening the g-file for the Rook but weakening his own pawn structure.
How to exploit the position
Black has an extra pawn, but his pawns are ruined and the King has stayed in the center.
- Regain the pawn with Nxd4 or Bxb5: the d4 pawn and the b5 pawn are weak.
- Castle and bring the Queen to e2 to hit b5 and e6.
- The e-file and the d-file are the ways to reach the black King: Re1 and Rd1 prepare the pressure.
- Black wants ...Bb7 and ...Rg8 against your castled position: control g2 and the a8-h1 diagonal.
Master tips
The Nxb5 sacrifice
After 10.e5 cxd4 the c3 Knight is attacked: with Nxb5 White saves it by taking a pawn and recovers the piece with exf6.