I rarely use the name Semi Slav to describe this opening, I prefer to call it the Meran due to the origin of the line. In my opinion, the best way for Black to play is via …e6 move orders. For instance, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 is a really good move order to reach this system and it is a good repertoire as well. Many players, including myself, used to use the Slav move order 1.d4 d5 .2.c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6. In my opinion the Meran has little to do with the dynamics of Slav positions.
The Meran is a very sharp opening which resembles the open Sicilian dynamics, but it also has a level of solidity due to having a central pawn on d5. In this book I did not analyze the Botvinnik Variation as I have previously published various ideas in several magazines on that system. In this volume I decided to give a modern approach to the 5. Bg5 move order.
Due to some interesting ideas that White players have recently been using you will find a section devoted to some improvements in the Catalan.
Throughout chess history top players have employed the Meran in their repertoires. In this century alone former World Champions Kramnik and Anand have both used the Meran.
Milos Pavlovic, 2024.
