Grunfeld Defense Guide

The Grunfeld Defense is a chess opening for Black that starts with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. It is a hypermodern chess opening, meaning that Black allows White to build up in the center only to strike it later with …c5, …Bg7, …Nc6, and more. The Grunfeld Defense started gaining popularity in the 1920s. Since then, it has been played at the highest level by many of the chess legends, including Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen.

Main Ideas in the Grunfeld Defense

The main idea in the Grunfeld Defense is that White’s huge center can become a liability. Black will try to undermine it by all means possible, while White will try to hold on to it.

In the Grunfeld Defense, the main fight takes place in the center, as opposed to the King’s Indian Defense, for instance, where White tries to attack the queenside and Black, the kingside.

Most Played Line in the Grunfeld Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6

3.Nc3 d5

The move 3…d5 is the determining move of the Grunfeld Defense.

4.cxd5 Nxd5

White decides to exchange pawns.

5.e4 Nxc3

White builds up a gigantic center. Black gets rid of White’s knight to weaken White’s center.

6.bxc3 Bg7

Black fianchettoes their bishop and aims at the d4 pawn.

7.Bc4 c5

With 7…c5 Black is putting even more pressure on the d4 pawn, and on the g7-a1 diagonal.

8.Ne2 Nc6

White protects the pawn. Black increases the pressure even more.

9.Be3 O-O

10.O-O Bg4

Both sides have completed their piece development and are ready to get into the middlegame.

Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation is the most played line in the Grunfeld Defense.

We have already seen it in action just before, but let’s see some of the alternatives available for both sides.

The Exchange Variation goes like this:

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

4.cxd5 Nxd5

At this point, White usually plays 5.e4, although 5.Bd2 and 5.g3 are also possible.

If White goes for 5.e4, attacking the knight, Black has the possibility of exchanging knights, which is the main move by far, or retreating the Knight to b6.

Russian Variation

In the Russian Variation, White doesn’t exchange pawns in the center, and instead plays 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3.

After this, Black usually plays 5…dxc4, and then 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4.

Petrosian System

In the Petrosian System, White plays 5.Bg5 instead of 5.Qb3.

Play continues with 5...Ne4 6.cxd5 Nxg5 7.Nxg5 e6.

Model Games

Related Chess Courses

Grunfeld Defense for Black with IM Marcin Sieciechowicz

More Articles

Owen's Defense Guide

Slav Defense Guide

Best Chess Openings for Beginners

D80 Sub-variants:

• Gruenfeld defence
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5
• Gruenfeld, Spike gambit
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. g4
• Gruenfeld, Stockholm variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5
• Gruenfeld, Lundin variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Nxe4 dxe4 6. Qd2 c5