Grünfeld DefenseD98

Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4

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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. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... Bg7Bg7 develops the bishop.
5. Qb3Qb3 repositions the queen.
... dxc4dxc4 captures a pawn, attacks the queen, gains space.
6. Qxc4Qxc4 captures a pawn.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
7. e4e4 occupies the center.
... Bg4Bg4 develops the bishop.

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Other major variations

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

Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D98) · Grünfeld Defense · OpeningMate