Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a dynamic, counter-attacking weapon where Black allows White to build a massive pawn center only to strike back at it immediately. In the Russian Variation, White brings the queen out early to bolster the center and force Black into concrete decisions regarding the central tension.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, the most common way to start a positional game. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop smoothly while keeping options open for various d-pawn systems.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the e4 square, preventing White from immediately playing a second central pawn move, and prepares for kingside castling.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White

White plays c4, the most ambitious continuation. While White could try the Tartakower Attack with g3 or the Canard with f4, this move directly challenges for central supremacy.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... g6Black · your move

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop to g7, where it will exert long-range pressure on the center from a safe defensive position.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. Nc3White

White develops the knight to c3, increasing the pressure. White could also choose the Anti-Grünfeld lines with f3 or g3, but this move is the most direct path to the main lines.

Other paths here: d5 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Advance Variation) · f3 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation) · h4 (Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Basman-Williams Attack) · g3 (King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto)

3... d5Black · your move

Strike at the center with d5. This is the defining move of the Grünfeld Defense, inviting White to capture and create a large pawn center that you will later attack.

Other paths here: Bg7 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 Bg7) · c5 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c5) · c6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 c6) · d6 (King's Indian: 3.Nc3 d6)

4. Qb3White

White plays Qb3, the sharp Russian Variation. This avoids the Stockholm Variation with Bg5 or the solid 4.e3, aiming to disrupt Black's setup before they can complete their development.

Other paths here: e3 (Gruenfeld: 4.e3) · g3 (Gruenfeld: 4.g3) · g4 (Grünfeld Defense: Gibbon Gambit) · f3 (Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation)

Where you stand

The position is tense and highly theoretical. White has a strong grip on the center and queenside, while Black must decide whether to capture on c4 or defend d5. Long-term, White aims for central expansion with e4, whereas Black will look to undermine the center with moves like c5 and Bg7.

• d5-c4 Capture the c4 pawn to open lines
• f8-g7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure the center
• e2-e4 Push e4 to establish a massive center
• c1-g5 Develop the bishop to pin the knight