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: Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation
D86 18 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 9. O-O b6
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Simagin's Improved 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 Nc6
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Simagin's Lesser 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 b6
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation
D87 23 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bxf7+
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
D87 16 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 O-O
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
D88 21 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O cxd4 11. cxd4
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation
D89 27 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Be3 Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bd3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be6 14. d5
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation
D89 26 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bd3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be6
Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation
D90 9 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qa4+
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation
D90 7 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation
D90 8 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System
D91 9 plies
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5
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