Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation

Before the first move

The Grünfeld Defense is a hypermodern weapon where Black allows White to build a large pawn center only to strike back at it with pieces. In the Burille Variation, White adopts a solid setup with e3, aiming for a sturdy structure rather than the immediate chaos of the Exchange Variation.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common alternative to e4. By occupying the center, White prepares to develop the queenside pieces while keeping options open for various systems like the Queen's Gambit or the London System.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from playing e4 immediately and prepares for a variety of defenses, keeping your opponent guessing about whether you will choose the Nimzo-Indian or the Grünfeld.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, expanding on the queenside and preparing to develop the knight behind the pawn. Other tries like the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5 lead to very different pawn structures.

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

Slide your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop on g7, where it will exert long-range pressure across the long diagonal toward White's center and queenside.

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 ambitious way to meet the King's Indian setup. Alternatives like the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the Saemisch with f3 offer different ways to handle Black's kingside pressure.

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 defines the Grünfeld Defense. You are challenging White's c4 pawn and inviting a confrontation in the middle of the board while your bishop prepares to support from g7.

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, entering the Three Knights Variation. This is a solid, positional approach. White could also choose the aggressive Stockholm Variation with Bg5 or the immediate e3 to bypass the main theoretical lines.

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 is your most important piece in the Grünfeld, acting as a sniper that targets the d4 pawn and the c3 knight from a safe distance.

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

5. e3White

White plays e3, the Burille Variation. By closing the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop, White aims for a slow, maneuvering game. This is less forcing than the Exchange Variation or the Hungarian Attack with Bf4.

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 reached where White has a solid, classical center and Black has a powerful fianchettoed bishop. White will likely castle kingside and look to expand on the queenside, while Black will use moves like c5 or O-O to pressure the d4 point and challenge White's spatial advantage.

• e8-g8 Secure the king and prepare for action
• c7-c5 Strike at the white center pawn
• f1-e2 Develop the bishop and prepare castling
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to complete development
• c3-a4 Knight maneuver to pressure the queenside