Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation

The Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code D48 in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games family, arising from 1.d4 d5, including the Queen's Gambit, Slav Defense, and related systems. It is reached after 9 moves: 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. The resulting position leaves white to move.