Key ideas
- The Meran Variation and the Botvinnik System are famous for deep, forcing theory.
- Black can take on c4 and expand with ...b5, gaining queenside space.
Plans for White
Choose between quiet systems with e3 and sharp lines with Bg5, depending on your appetite for theory.
Plans for Black
Be ready for complex tactics. The ...dxc4 and ...b5 plan gives the most counterplay.

