Opening Overview

Grünfeld Defense

59 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black attacks White's center with piece pressure and a very active counterplan.

These structures usually reward accurate development, good piece coordination, and patience before committing to pawn breaks.

The practical edge often comes from knowing the main pawn structures and where each side wants counterplay, rather than memorizing long forcing lines.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: sound structure and flexible plans.
  • Most plans revolve around piece activity and pawn breaks at the right moment.
  • Best for players who want reliable positions and clear structure.
  • Learn the standard middlegame plans, not just the first moves.

Choose a variation

Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Capablanca Variation
D83 11 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Rc1
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Reshevsky Gambit
D83 14 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Rc1 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted
D84 15 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. Bxc7
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation
D85 8 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
D85 13 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
D85 14 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
D85 15 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. Rb1
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Kramnik's Line
D85 15 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. h3
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Pawn Grab Line
D85 20 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Bxc3+
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack
D85 9 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Classical Variation
D86 13 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation
D86 16 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Ne2 Qd7
← Back