D97

Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

The Grünfeld Defence is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a big pawn centre, then attacks it with pieces and the ...c5 break. The central tension creates exciting, tactical positions.

History & Notable Players

Introduced by Ernst Grünfeld in 1922. It became a world-class weapon through Vasily Smyslov and Bobby Fischer, and was later used extensively by Garry Kasparov in his World Championship matches.

Best Games

Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Giri,A vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
5th Zurich CC Match • 2016★ Notable
Navara,D vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
78th Tata Steel GpA • 2016★ Notable
Anand,V vs Aronian,L1-0
4th Zurich CC Classical • 2015★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
77th Tata Steel GpA • 2015★ Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Giri,A0-1
45th Biel GM • 2012★ Notable
Anand,V vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
6th Tal Memorial • 2011★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
39th Olympiad Men • 2010★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Svidler,P1-0
19th Amber Rapid • 2010★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Morozevich,A1-0
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009★ Notable
Azmaiparashvili,Z vs Carlsen,M1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Khalifman,A vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Aleksandrov, Aleksej vs Svidler, Peter1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Svidler, Peter1-0
Linares16th • 1999★ Notable
Epishin, Vladimir vs Svidler, Peter1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players