The Meran knight sacrifice is lesson 4 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 5: master sacrifices, an opening course suited to players rated around 2100 (strong club players). Semi-Slav, Meran Variation, D49. White gives a knight on b5 to break open the centre. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Meran. Black's c5 and cxd4 hit your centre, and the e5 pawn attacks the knight on f6. White has a sharp answer. About 8,560 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxb5! The knight takes on b5. If axb5, exf6 wins the knight back, and Black's king side is broken.
After axb5 and exf6, Black usually plays Qb6, and gxf6 comes later. Both kings are unsafe, and the game is very sharp. The engines call it about equal.
Recap.
In the Meran, Black's c5 and cxd4 hit the centre.
Nxb5 gives a knight to open lines.
After axb5, exf6 wins material back.
Both kings are unsafe in this line.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Semi-Slav Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The pawn on b5 is guarded only by the a6 pawn. Give a knight there.
Black takes on e5 with the knight instead. Trade it off.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Semi-Slav Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers cxd4. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The pawn on b5 is guarded only by the a6 pawn. Give a knight there. That is the Meran sacrifice. The centre opens, and White's pieces are very active.
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