by Konstantin Sakaev and Semko Semkov, 204pp. (Chess Stars Publishing, 2005)

Read an excerpt here

Statistics shows that nowadays the Anti-Meran system 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 is the weapon of choice of White in the Semi-Slav. GM Sakaev and IM Semkov cover all topical variations in three parts.

Part one examines in great details the sharpest line 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.g4!? bringing about plenty of original analysis and explanation of the plans.

Part two discusses fianchetto lines with 6.Qc2 b6 or 6.Qc2 Be7 followed by b7-b6. Part three is devoted to the Karpov system 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Be2 (or 7.Bd3) as well as 7.b3. Finally there is a short survey of the latest trends in the popular now early a7-a6.

The presentation of material follows the method of the Queens Gambit Accepted by the same authors.