Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation, the move 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 is played by white to control the center of the board by advancing the pawn to e5. This move also sets up the possibility of a pawn exchange on c5, which can give white a protected passed pawn supported by the pieces on d4 and e5. Additionally, the e5 pawn move may allow white to destabilize black's central pawn structure by following up with moves such as Nd2 and f2-f4.

Black plays d5 after the move 1. d4 to immediately contest the center and claim space. By advancing the pawn to d5, Black also creates potential counterplay on both the d- and c-files. This move can also help Black to develop their pieces by freeing the knight on f6 and the bishop on c8. Additionally, playing d5 can help to gain control of the center and limit White's options, making it harder for White to create a strong attacking position.

White plays c4 after 1. d4 d5 to gain control of the center and increase their pawn presence. By advancing the pawn to c4, White creates potential pressure on Black's central pawn, which can limit Black's mobility and development. Additionally, c4 prepares for the possibility of a queen side expansion with b2-b3 and/or the deployment of the bishop to the c4-square. This move can also make it harder for Black to develop their c8-bishop, as it would be blocked by the pawn on d5.

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation, Black plays c6 after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 to support the central pawn on d5 and retain a solid pawn structure. By advancing the pawn to c6, Black also prepares to control the d5-square with either the knight or a pawn. Additionally, c6 cuts off the possibility of a white pawn advancing to d5 and allows the c8 Bishop to develop along the b7-h1 diagonal. This move also could eventually provide a more secure retreat square for the knight on d7.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6, White plays Nc3 to complete their development and put pressure on Black's central pawn on d5. By developing the knight to c3, White can also prepare to castle and further strengthen their position. Additionally, Nc3 prepares for the possibility of a pawn exchange on d5, which can create isolated pawns for Black, and allows for the possibility of a fork on Black's queen and knight with Ncb5. This move also can limit Black's options for the development of their queen side knight.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3, Black plays Nf6 to support the central pawn on d5 and develop a piece in preparation for castle. By placing the knight on f6, Black can also prepare to control the e4-square that might be threatened with e3-e4 advance by White. The knight on f6 can also provide support to the pawn on d5, keeping the position stable. Additionally, playing Nf6 allows the possibility of future exchanges on d4, potentially dislodging the half-open c-file in Black's favor.

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation, White plays e3 after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 to provide support for the pawn on d4 and create a solid pawn chain in the center. By advancing the pawn to e3, White prepares to bring their light-squared bishop out to f4, placing pressure on Black's position. Additionally, e3 can help to limit Black's options for expanding on the queen side. This move can also prepare for the possibility of playing dxc5, which can create an isolated pawn for Black, and further open up White's position.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3, Black plays e6 to solidify their pawn structure in the center and provide support for the pawn on d5. By advancing the pawn to e6, Black also prepares to develop their light-squared bishop and potentially place it on b7 in order to contest White's control over the d5-square. Moreover, playing e6 can help to limit the mobility of White's pieces and prevent any potential attacks supported by the pawn on e5. Additionally, e6 helps to prepare for the potential capture on d5 by a white piece, as well as prepares Black's pieces for castling kingside.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6, White plays Nf3 to complete their development and prepare to castle kingside. By putting the knight on f3, White also prepares to contest the e5-square and limit the mobility of Black's pieces. Additionally, Nf3 helps to support the pawn on e3, and prepares to develop the light-squared bishop either to d3 or g2, depending on the game's development. This move can also potentially prepare to put pressure on Black's center with d2-d4 pawn advance after the bishop's development.

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation, Black plays Nbd7 after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 to further develop their knight to a safe square and prepare for castle kingside. By placing the knight on d7, Black can also prepare to support their central pawn structure with either a future ...c6-c5 advance or with the protection of a pawn on d5. Additionally, Nbd7 prevents the white knight on c3 from jumping into b5, where it would create pressure on Black. This move can also potentially prepare for the deployment of the queen to c7 or b6.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7, White plays Bd3 to develop their light-squared bishop, which is a natural square for the bishop in this opening. Additionally, this move prepares to castle kingside and create a solid pawn structure. Bd3 also puts pressure on Black's central pawn, which may prompt them to protect their d5 pawn using a tempo or playing ...dxc4 to create weaknesses if not done carefully. Furthermore, placing the bishop on d3 allows a future pawn push f2-f4, possibly creating fevers in the Kingside area.

After the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3, Black plays dxc4 to open the c-file and put pressure on White's central pawn on d4. By exchanging pawns on c4, Black can potentially create a weakness in White's pawn structure and gain control over the c-file with their rook. Additionally, playing dxc4 allows Black to develop their queenside pieces more freely, such as the d7-knight. This move can also prepare Black's bishop fianchetto on b7, which can add pressure to White's position. In sum, dxc4 can help Black alleviate some positional pressure and create counterplay.

In the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Old Variation, White plays Bxc4 after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 to develop their pieces and potentially create a pawn-chain with their pawns on d4, e3 and c4. By taking the pawn on c4, White can centralize their bishop and pave the way for kingside castling. Additionally, Bxc4 prepares to put pressure on Black's semi-open file on c-file, and can also put pressure on the pinned knight on f6. This move can also create the possibility of a discovered attack on Black's queen with Nd2 and Nb3.

After the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4, Black plays b5 to challenge the bishop on c4 and potentially force it to move again, creating opportunities to develop. By advancing the pawn to b5, Black also prepares to gain space on the queenside and potentially develop the bishop to b7, where it can put pressure on White's pawn structure. Additionally, playing b5 can potentially weaken White's pawn structure on the queenside and create weaknesses in the pawn-chain. This move can also potentially prompt White into a premature pawn attack on the kingside.

After the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5, White plays Bd3 to develop their light-squared bishop and support it with the pawn chain on e3 and d4. Furthermore, this move can prepare the way to castle kingside, a crucial step in making the king secure and releasing the rook. Bd3 also pins the Black knight on d7 and forces Black to make further development in order to defend it. Finally, Bd3 can create tactical possibilities of capturing the b5 pawn with the bishop to exchange it, along with challenging Black's central control over d5.

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This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.

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