Grünfeld Defence

ECO D70–D99 · Level: Advanced · Also known as: Grunfeld, Gruenfeld

In the Grünfeld, Black allows White a big pawn centre and then attacks it with the g7 bishop, ...c5 and pieces. It is the sharpest expression of hypermodern thinking.

Position at the end of the main line

Main line

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7

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History

Introduced by the Austrian master Ernst Grünfeld in 1922, it was used by Fischer and Kasparov and remains popular among elite players.

White's plan

  • In the Exchange Variation, advance with the strong c3-d4-e4 centre (the d5 push).
  • Support the centre with pieces so it does not collapse under pressure.

Black's plan

  • Heavy pressure on d4 with the g7 bishop, ...c5 and ...Nc6.
  • If the centre cracks, Black gets active, comfortable play.

Key variations

Exchange Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Rb1

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Russian System

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4

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Who should play it?

For ambitious Black players who love calculation and can invest time in theory.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Grünfeld differ from the King's Indian?

In the Grünfeld Black strikes the centre at once with ...d5; in the King's Indian Black plays ...d6 and ...e5 for a closed game.

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Related openings

  • King's Indian Defence — The King's Indian lets White build a big centre first, then counter-attacks with the g7 bishop and the ...e5 and ...f5 pawn breaks.
  • Nimzo-Indian Defence — The Nimzo-Indian pins the c3 knight with ...Bb4 to control e4, often trading bishop for knight to damage White's pawn structure.
  • Queen's Gambit — The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) offers the c-pawn to lure Black's d5 pawn away from the centre.

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