Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a dynamic, hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a large pawn center only to attack it immediately. In this Hungarian Variation, White develops solidly with Three Knights and an early dark-squared bishop, aiming for controlled central pressure rather than the chaotic exchanges of the main lines.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, a move that prioritizes central control and long-term stability. While e4 is the most common alternative, d4 often leads to more positional battles. You will need to choose whether to meet this with a direct pawn response or a flexible knight development.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the most flexible response to d4, preventing White from immediately playing e4 and preparing to see how White will structure their center. It keeps your options open for several different defensive setups.

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, gaining more space and preparing to develop the queen's knight. White could also choose the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5, but c4 is the most ambitious way to fight for a central advantage.

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 powerful pressure along the long diagonal. This move signals your intent to play a hypermodern defense like the King's Indian or the Grünfeld.

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, developing a key piece and reinforcing control over d5 and e4. White could also try Nf3 first or g3 to enter a Fianchetto system, but Nc3 is the most direct way to challenge Black's upcoming central break.

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 offering White the chance to capture your pawn and build a massive center, trusting that your pieces will be active enough to tear it down later.

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 plays Nf3, opting for the Three Knights Variation. This is a solid approach that avoids some of the sharper theoretical lines of the Exchange Variation. White could also play cxd5 immediately or try the Stockholm Variation with Bg5 to pin the f6-knight.

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. From this square, your bishop breathes fire down the long diagonal, eyeing the d4-pawn and the c3-knight. This piece is your most important asset in the Grünfeld, providing both defense and long-range attacking power.

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

5. Bf4White

White plays Bf4, a key move in this variation. By developing the bishop before playing e3, White ensures it isn't trapped behind the pawn chain. White could also choose 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)

5... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. By moving your king to g8 and your rook to f8, you complete your initial kingside development. Your king is now well-protected behind the fianchettoed bishop, and you are ready to start your counterattack in the center.

Other paths here: c6 (Gruenfeld: 5.Bf4 c6)

6. e3White

White plays e3, reinforcing the center and preparing to develop the bishop on f1. This is a very solid setup. White often plays Rc1 first to put pressure on the c-file, but e3 is the most direct way to complete the central pawn structure.

Other paths here: Rc1 (Gruenfeld: 5.Bf4 O-O 6.Rc1)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with strategic depth. White has a solid, well-defended center and active pieces. Black's primary plan is to challenge that center with c5, using the pressure from the g7-bishop to create tactical opportunities. Both sides must navigate the tension carefully, as the game can quickly shift from a positional grind to a tactical skirmish.

• c7-c5 Strike the center with c5
• f1-e2 Develop bishop and prepare to castle
• b8-c6 Develop knight to pressure d4
• a1-c1 Place rook on the semi-open c-file