D80
Grünfeld Defense
Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4/Bg5
The Russian System and other sidelines where White avoids the main Exchange Variation. These lines lead to less theoretical but still rich positions.
History & Notable Players
Employed by many Russian grandmasters as a practical alternative to the Exchange Variation.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
D81 - Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation40D82 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack97D83 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit64D84 - Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted28D85 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation1329D86 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation237D87 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation220D88 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation30D89 - Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation38
Best Games
Nakamura,Hi vs Kasparov,G1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Giri,A1-0
5th Norway Chess 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Sharjah Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Caruana,F0-1
54th Reggio Emilia • 2012★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
6th Tal Memorial • 2011★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Svidler,P1-0
6th Tal Memorial • 2011★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Biel ACCENTUS GM • 2011★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Freise,E vs Grischuk,A0-1
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
19th Amber Blindfold • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
19th Amber Rapid • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
19th Amber Rapid • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Ponomariov,R0-1
19th Amber Rapid • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial • 2009★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial • 2009★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Svidler,P0-1
Tal Memorial • 2006★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Van Wely,L1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Volkov,S vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Shipov, Sergei1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable