Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation

Before the first move

The Smyslov Variation of the Russian Grünfeld is a high-stakes battle for the center. White establishes a massive pawn presence and a centralized queen, while you use your minor pieces to provoke and undermine that control. It is a dynamic line where Black trades space for rapid development and sharp counterattacking chances.

1. d4White

White opens with d4, a move that prioritizes central control and solid structure over the immediate tactical skirmishes usually seen in e4 openings. You have many ways to respond, including the solid d5 or the more flexible Nf6, which we will focus on today.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move prevents White from immediately playing e4 and prepares to challenge the center. It keeps your options open, allowing you to transition into several different defensive setups depending on White's next few choices.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the most ambitious continuation, seeking to build a broad pawn center. You might see the London System with Bf4 or the Trompowsky with Bg5, but c4 leads to the most complex and deeply studied variations in all of chess.

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 immense pressure along the long diagonal. This move signals your intent to play a hypermodern defense, inviting White to occupy the center so you can attack it later.

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, increasing the pressure on d5. At this point, you must decide your structure. You could play d6 for a King's Indian, but the Grünfeld with d5 is more forcing and leads to the specific lines we are exploring today.

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 challenging White's c4 pawn and inviting a confrontation. If White captures, you will have a powerful bishop on g7 staring down the long diagonal.

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 develops with Nf3, heading toward the Three Knights Variation. White could also try the aggressive Stockholm Variation with Bg5 or the solid 4.e3. By choosing Nf3, White keeps the game balanced and focused on piece coordination.

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. From this square, it radiates power along the h8-a1 diagonal, putting pressure on White's center and potentially targeting the b2 pawn or the knight on c3.

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

5. Qb3White

White plays Qb3, the Russian Variation. This is a very direct approach, forcing you to resolve the central tension. Other popular tries here include the Exchange Variation or the Hungarian Attack with Bf4, but Qb3 is the most theoretically testing.

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... dxc4Black · your move

Capture the pawn on c4. Since your d5 pawn is under heavy fire from the queen and knight, capturing is the most active way to respond. This clears the way for your pieces and prepares to challenge White's queen once it recaptures.

Other paths here: c6 (Gruenfeld: Russian, 5...c6)

6. Qxc4White

White recaptures with Qxc4. The queen is now centralized and powerful, but you will soon have opportunities to harass it. The stage is set for a middle-game where White has the center and you have the piece activity.

6... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. This is a vital step before you begin your counterattack. Your king is now tucked away behind a solid wall of pawns, and your rook is ready to enter the game, likely via the d8 or c8 squares.

Other paths here: a6 (Gruenfeld: Russian, 6...O-O)

7. e4White

White plays e4, seizing the full center. This is the most ambitious move. White could play more modestly with Bf4, but e4 is the critical test. You must now find a way to create counterplay before White's space advantage becomes overwhelming.

Other paths here: Bf4 (Gruenfeld: Russian, 7.Bf4)

7... Bg4Black · your move

Pin the knight to the queen by moving your bishop to g4. This is the Smyslov Variation. You are attacking the defender of the d4 pawn and creating immediate tactical problems for White. This active move is the start of your central counter-offensive.

Other paths here: Nfd7 (Gruenfeld: Russian, 7.e4 Nfd7) · Nc6 (Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation) · a6 (Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation) · b6 (Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation)

Where you stand

The position is sharp and balanced. White has a classical center and a centralized queen, but Black's pieces are very active. Black will look to use the pin on f3 and the pressure from the g7 bishop to chip away at d4. White must defend the center carefully while trying to use their space to launch a kingside attack or maintain central control.

• g4-f3 Trade bishop for knight to weaken d4
• f6-d7 Reroute knight to b6 to harass queen
• c1-e3 Develop bishop to support the d4 pawn
• f1-e2 Develop bishop and prepare to castle
• a8-c8 Place rook on the open c-file