Key ideas
- After 8.Bd3, Black's main choices are 8...a6, preparing ...c5 (the classical Meran), 8...Bb7 (the Wade Variation) and 8...b4 (the Lundin Variation). White players who want to avoid all of this choose 6.Qc2, the Anti-Meran, instead of 6.Bd3.
- In the classical line 8...a6 9.e4 c5, White chooses between 10.e5, when 10...cxd4 11.Nxb5 leads to sharp tactics (the Blumenfeld Variation), and 10.d5, Reynolds' Variation, which blocks the centre and plays against Black's pawns.
- In the Wade Variation Black develops first and expands later: 8...Bb7 9.e4 b4 10.Na4 c5 11.e5 Nd5 is a typical modern main line, with Black's knight on d5 facing White's advanced e-pawn.
- Black's long-term assets are the queenside majority and the long diagonal for the b7 bishop. White counts on e4 and e5, central space and the bishop on d3 aimed at Black's king.
Plans for White
Play e4 as soon as possible and push on to e5 to drive the f6 knight from the defence of the kingside. Use the bishop on d3 and knight jumps to e4 or g5 for an attack, and meet ...b4 with Na4, eyeing c5.
Plans for Black
Strike with ...c5 as early as you can; it is the move that justifies ...b5. Once the centre opens, the b7 bishop, the half-open c-file and the queenside pawns give lasting counterplay, and a knight on d5 is often Black's best piece.
For the wider picture, see the Semi-Slav Defense guide.