Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a dynamic counter to 1.d4 where Black allows White to build a massive pawn center only to immediately attack it. In the Exchange Variation, White accepts the challenge, creating a powerful central wall that you must chip away at using your minor pieces and well-timed pawn breaks.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common way to fight for a central advantage. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop pieces while limiting Black's immediate central options.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the e4-square and prevents White from immediately pushing another central pawn, keeping your defensive options open.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4. This creates the 'Queen's Pawn' structure. While White could try the London System or the Tartakower Attack, this is the most ambitious try for an edge.

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

Prepare to fianchetto your bishop by moving your pawn to g6. This is the first step in the Grünfeld setup, signaling your intent to pressure the center from the flank.

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

3. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, the most direct way to challenge Black's setup. Alternatives include the Anti-Grünfeld with f3 or the Fianchetto Variation with g3, but this knight move leads to the sharpest 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 immediately with d5. This is the defining move of the Grünfeld Defense, forcing White to decide how to handle the tension in the heart of the board.

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. cxd5White

White enters the Exchange Variation with cxd5. Other options like the Stockholm Variation with Bg5 or the solid e3 exist, but the exchange is the most critical test of Black's opening.

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

4... Nxd5Black · your move

Recapture on d5 with your knight. This places your knight in a powerful central position and forces White to spend time challenging it.

5. e4White

White plays e4, seizing full central control. While the Nadanian Attack with Na4 or the quiet Bd2 are alternatives, this represents the most principled way to play for a win.

Other paths here: Bd2 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 5.Bd2) · g3 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 5.g3) · Na4 (Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack)

5... Nxc3Black · your move

Trade your knight for the one on c3. This trade is necessary to avoid losing time and helps damage White's pawn structure, though it strengthens their central mass.

Other paths here: Nb6 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 5.e4 Nb6)

6. bxc3White

White recaptures with bxc3. This creates a semi-open b-file and a very strong center, but White must now carefully defend these pawns against Black's piece pressure.

6... Bg7Black · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. From this long diagonal, your bishop exerts tremendous pressure on White's d4-pawn and the entire center.

Other paths here: c5 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5)

7. Bc4White

White plays Bc4, the Classical Exchange approach. Other setups like the Modern Exchange with Nf3 or the tricky Ba3 are popular, but this move focuses on rapid development.

Other paths here: Ba3 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 7.Ba3) · Bb5+ (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 7.Bb5+) · Be3 (Gruenfeld: Exchange, 7.Be3) · Nf3 (Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation)

7... c5Black · your move

Challenge the center with c5. This pawn break is essential; you must undermine White's d4-pawn to prevent them from simply rolling over your position.

Other paths here: b6 (Gruenfeld: Classical Exchange, 7...b6) · O-O (Gruenfeld: Classical Exchange, 7...O-O)

8. Ne2White

White plays Ne2. This is a sophisticated way to defend the center. It avoids potential pins on f3 and prepares to support the e3-bishop if Black continues the assault.

8... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6. You are piling more pressure onto the d4-pawn, forcing White to commit another piece to its defense.

Other paths here: O-O (Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation)

9. Be3White

White plays Be3, completing the defensive wall around the d4-pawn. White's pieces are now harmoniously placed to protect the center against the coming storm.

9... O-OBlack · your move

Tuck your king away by castling kingside. With your king safe, you can now focus all your energy on the tactical battle in the center.

10. O-OWhite

White also castles. Both sides have completed their primary development, and the stage is set for a deep strategic struggle over the control of the central squares.

10... cxd4Black · your move

Trade pawns on d4. This opens the c-file for your rook and forces White to decide how to recapture, further clarifying the central tension.

Other paths here: Bg4 (Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Seville Variation)

11. cxd4White

White recaptures with the pawn, maintaining a presence in the center. The position is now highly imbalanced; White has the space, but Black has clear targets and active pieces.

Where you stand

The position is a classic Grünfeld battleground. White possesses a powerful central pawn duo on d4 and e4, while Black has active pieces and a clear plan to pressure those pawns. Black will aim to use the c-file and the g7-bishop to create threats, while White must use their space advantage to launch a kingside attack or maintain the central bind.

• c8-g4 Pin the knight to the queen
• a8-c8 Control the open c-file
• f2-f4 Begin a kingside pawn storm
• a1-c1 Support the center from c1