D49

Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 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 Qd5 14. Qe2 Ba6 15. Bg5

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack is a chess opening classified under ECO code D49. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 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 Qd5 14. Qe2 Ba6 15. Bg5.

It belongs to the Semi-Slav Defense family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

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