Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
857 games: White 47.3% / Draw 7.1% / Black 45.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 589589 | ||
| 167167 | ||
| 9797 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.35 White is slightly better
Best play: 10. e5 bxc3 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. bxc3 c5 13. Ne5 cxd4 14. O-O Be7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation (ECO D48, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Move Order, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 b4 (9 moves).
In 857 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.3%, Black 45.6% and 7.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Na4, in 69% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation
The most played answer, 10. Na4, also scores best for White: 51.4%, with White winning 48.2% and Black 45.3% of 589 games. Of the main answers, 10. Ne2 scores lowest: 47.9%. Stockfish's first choice is 10. e5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Pirc Variation (D48)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-meran-variation-pirc-variation