Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rabinovich Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
247 games: White 46.2% / Draw 9.7% / Black 44.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 112112 | ||
| 9191 | ||
| 3434 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.52 White is slightly better
Best play: 12. Nd6+ Bxd6 13. exd6 Bb7 14. O-O Qb6 15. Bf4 Ngf6 16. Rc1 Bxf3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rabinovich Variation (ECO D49, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Blumenfeld Variation, reached after 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 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Ng4 (11 moves).
In 247 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.2%, Black 44.1% and 9.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 12. Nbxd4, in 45% of those games.
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Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Rabinovich Variation (D49)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-meran-variation-rabinovich-variation