Grünfeld DefenseD87

Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation

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

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
2. c4c4 controls d5.
... g6g6 repositions the pawn.
3. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... d5d5 strikes at the center.
4. cxd5cxd5 captures a pawn, occupies the center.
... Nxd5Nxd5 captures a pawn.
5. e4e4 attacks the knight, strikes at the center.
... Nxc3Nxc3 captures the knight, attacks the queen.
6. bxc3bxc3 captures the knight.
... Bg7Bg7 develops the bishop and controls d4 and e5.
7. Bc4Bc4 develops the bishop and controls d5.
... c5c5 strikes at the center.
8. Ne2Ne2 develops the knight and controls d4.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.

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Other major variations

The complete Grünfeld Defense guide See all 57 variations in the branch map

Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D87) · Grünfeld Defense · OpeningMate