Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a dynamic counter-attacking weapon where Black allows White to build a large center only to strike back at it immediately. In the Hungarian Attack, White develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 to exert pressure on d5 and c7, creating a solid but aggressive setup for both sides.

1. d4White

White opens with the Queen's Pawn Game, staking a claim in the center. This is the starting point for many strategic battles, including the Nimzo-Indian or the King's Indian, depending on how you choose to respond.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the e4 and d5 squares, keeping your options open between the King's Indian, the Nimzo-Indian, or the Grünfeld structures.

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, intending to gain space on the queenside. While White could try the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5, this move leads to the most theoretically rich positions.

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 on g7, where it will exert powerful pressure along the long h8-a1 diagonal and support your future central strikes.

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 aggressive way to meet the fianchetto. White is ready to build a massive pawn center. Black must now decide between the King's Indian with d6 or the immediate central challenge of the Grünfeld.

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. You are inviting White to capture or build a center, which you will then attack with your pieces.

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

White chooses the Three Knights Variation with Nf3. This is a solid approach that avoids some of the sharper lines of the Exchange Variation. White could also try the aggressive Stockholm Variation with Bg5 or the quiet g3.

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

4... Bg7Black · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. This piece is the soul of your position, putting immense pressure on d4 and preparing you to castle safely into a strong kingside fortress.

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

5. Bf4White

White plays Bf4, a move that characterizes the Hungarian Attack. White develops actively and looks to pressure the queenside. Other major options include the Exchange Variation with cxd5 or the Flohr Variation with an early Qa4 check.

Other paths here: cxd5 (Gruenfeld: Three Knights Exchange) · g3 (Gruenfeld: Three Knights, 5.g3) · Qa4+ (Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation) · Bg5 (Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System)

Where you stand

The position is balanced but full of tension. White has developed harmoniously and eyes the c7-square, while Black is ready to castle and begin the typical Grünfeld counter-play with c5. Both sides must navigate the central pawn tension carefully, as the game can quickly transform from a positional struggle into a tactical firestorm.

• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure the king.
• c7-c5 Strike the center with the c5 break.
• f4-c7 Pressure the weak c7 pawn.
• a1-c1 Bring the rook to the c-file.
• f6-d5 Use the knight to contest d5.