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  3. /Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation (D47)
D47

Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6

The Queen's Gambit Declined is one of the most solid and classical chess openings. Black defends the d5 pawn with ...e6, maintaining a strong central presence. The resulting positions are strategically rich with well-defined plans for both sides.

History & Notable Players

A cornerstone of chess strategy since the 19th century. It was the main battleground in many World Championship matches, particularly those of Capablanca, Alekhine, and Botvinnik.

Top Players in this Opening

Mamedyarov,S35 gamesShirov,A35 gamesGelfand,B30 gamesPolugaevsky, Lev19 gamesKramnik, Vladimir18 gamesLarsen, Bent17 gamesAronian,L16 gamesAnand, Viswanathan15 gamesGelfand, Boris14 gamesKarpov, Anatoly13 games

Related Openings

D40 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense294D41 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense710D42 - Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line194D43 - Semi-Slav Defense999D44 - Semi-Slav Defense Accepted262D45 - Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line1231D46 - Semi-Slav Defense: Main Line365D48 - Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation160D49 - Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rellstab Attack60

Best Games

Giri,A vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
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4th Zurich CC Rapid 2015Notable
Aronian,L vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
4th Zurich CC Classical 2015Notable
Anand,V vs Gelfand,B1-0
Zurich CC Blitz 2014 2014Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V0-1
75th Tata Steel GpA 2013Notable
Carlsen,M vs Shirov,A1-0
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Kempinski,R vs Shirov,A1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh 2010Notable
Svidler,P vs Grischuk,A0-1
19th Amber Blindfold 2010Notable
Gelfand,B vs Aronian,L1-0
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Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
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Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
38th Olympiad 2008Notable
Kramnik,V vs Shirov,A1-0
Tal Memorial 2008Notable
Sanikidze,T vs Le Quang Liem0-1
WCh-Junior 2008Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Gelfand,B1-0
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Gelfand,B vs Anand,V0-1
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Mamedyarov,S vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2008Notable
Morozevich,A vs Anand,V1-0
Amber Blindfold 2008Notable
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Morozevich,A vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
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