Gruenfeld: 5.Bg5 Ne4

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a dynamic, counter-attacking opening where Black allows White to build a large pawn center only to strike back at it immediately. In this specific variation, White develops the bishop to g5 to pin the knight, and Black responds with an energetic leap to e4 to challenge that bishop and the c3 knight.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim immediate control over the center. This move opens lines for your queen and dark-squared bishop while preventing Black from easily placing a pawn on e5 or c5.

1... Nf6Black

Black chooses Nf6, the cornerstone of the Indian Defenses. This prevents White from grabbing the full center with e4. Alternatives like the Englund Gambit with e5 or the solid Horwitz Defense with e6 are much less common.

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

2. c4White · your move

Push your pawn to c4. This is the standard follow-up to d4, putting pressure on the d5 square and preparing to gain more space on the queenside while allowing your knight to develop behind the pawn.

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

Black signals the intent to play a King's Indian or Grünfeld structure with g6. This is more flexible than the Queen's Indian with b6 or the Mexican Defense with Nc6, focusing on kingside development first.

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

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This move increases your control over the d5 and e4 squares, preparing to support a further central expansion and challenging Black's upcoming plan to strike at the center.

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

Black enters the Grünfeld proper with d5. This creates immediate tension. If Black had played Bg7 instead, the game would remain in King's Indian territory, but d5 forces White to deal with the central pressure right now.

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. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This solidifies your control of the d4 pawn and prepares for kingside castling. You are maintaining the central tension while completing your minor piece development.

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

4... Bg7Black

Black completes the fianchetto with Bg7. The bishop is now perfectly placed to monitor the center. Black could have played c6 to bolster the d5 pawn, but the bishop development is the most thematic and active choice.

Other paths here: c6 (Gruenfeld: Schlechter, 5.Qb3)

5. Bg5White · your move

Slide your bishop to g5. By pinning the knight on f6, you create indirect pressure on the d5 pawn and force Black to decide how to break the pin or defend the center.

Other paths here: cxd5 (Gruenfeld: Three Knights Exchange) · g3 (Gruenfeld: Three Knights, 5.g3) · Qa4+ (Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation) · Bf4 (Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack)

5... Ne4Black

Black responds with the energetic Ne4, ignoring the pin and counter-attacking. While Black could play c6 or dxc4 to stay solid, this leap into the center is the most aggressive and theoretically challenging response to White's bishop move.

Other paths here: c6 (Gruenfeld: 5.Bg5 c6) · dxc4 (Gruenfeld: 5.Bg5 dxc4)

Where you stand

The position is highly tactical and centered around the e4 knight. White must now decide whether to retreat the bishop to f4 or trade on e4. Black's plan involves castling quickly and using the c5 pawn break to shatter White's center, while White will look to use their space advantage and lead in development to create kingside pressure.

• g5-f4 Reposition the bishop to a safer square
• e8-g8 Secure the king before the center opens
• c7-c5 Challenge the d4 pawn and open lines
• e2-e3 Solidify the center and free the bishop