Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Sozin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
742 games: White 44.5% / Draw 8.0% / Black 47.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 726726 | ||
| 1414 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.06 The position is about equal
Best play: 12. Nxe5 axb5 13. Bxb5+ Bd7 14. Nxd7 Qa5+ 15. Bd2 Qxb5 16. Nxf8 Kxf8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Sozin Variation (ECO D49, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Semi-Slav Defense, reached after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 Nxe5 (11 moves).
In 742 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.5%, Black 47.6% and 8.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 12. Nxe5, in 98% of those games.
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Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Semi-Slav Defense: Meran Variation, Sozin Variation (D49)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/semi-slav-defense-meran-variation-sozin-variation