Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation

Before the first move

The Smyslov Variation of the Russian Grünfeld is a high-level battle for the center. White builds a massive pawn front while Black uses active pieces and tactical pressure to undermine it. You will see both sides fighting for every inch of space in this sharp, theoretical line.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common way to enter closed or semi-closed systems. By controlling e5, White invites you into complex structures like the King's Indian or the Nimzo-Indian.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This flexible move controls the center and prevents White from immediately playing e4, keeping your options open for several defensive systems.

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

2. c4White

White plays c4, the hallmark of the Queen's Pawn openings. Alternatives like the London System or the Trompowsky Attack are common, but this move leads to the most ambitious central struggles.

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 long-range pressure along the great diagonal and protect your king.

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 direct way to contest the center. White could also try the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the Saemisch-style f3, but the knight development is the main line.

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, immediately challenging White's d4-pawn and inviting a central confrontation.

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. White could also choose the Exchange Variation with cxd5 or the Stockholm Variation with Bg5 to deviate from the main 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 piece is the soul of your position, putting immense pressure on d4 and preparing to castle your king to safety.

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

5. Qb3White

White plays Qb3, the Russian Variation. This is more aggressive than the Three Knights Exchange or the Hungarian Attack with Bf4, as it forces an immediate reaction in the center.

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. By giving up the center for a moment, you draw the White queen out and prepare to challenge her position with your minor pieces.

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

6. Qxc4White

White recaptures with the queen, establishing a strong presence. You have successfully cleared the d-file, but White's queen is now exposed to potential harassment from your knights.

6... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. This completes your kingside development and brings your rook toward the center, ready for the middlegame struggle.

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

7. e4White

White plays e4, building a classical pawn center. White sometimes tries Bf4 here to control the d6-square, but the central advance is the most critical test of your defense.

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

7... Bg4Black · your move

Pin the knight on f3 by moving your bishop to g4. This creates immediate pressure on White's central control and prepares to undermine the d4-pawn.

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)

8. Be3White

White plays Be3, reinforcing the center. White could also choose Be2 to break the pin immediately, but defending d4 is the priority in this sharp line.

Other paths here: Be2 (Gruenfeld: Russian, Smyslov, 8.Be2)

8... Nfd7Black · your move

Retreat your knight to d7. This maneuver prepares to challenge the White queen and opens the path for your g7-bishop to breathe along the diagonal.

9. Qb3White

White retreats the queen to b3. While White often prefers development with Be2 or the aggressive O-O-O, this retreat keeps the pressure on your queenside.

Other paths here: Be2 (Gruenfeld: Russian, Smyslov, 8.Be3 Nfd7 9.Be2) · O-O-O (Gruenfeld: Russian, Smyslov, 8.Be3 Nfd7 9.O-O-O) · Rd1 (Gruenfeld: Russian, Smyslov, 8.Be3 Nfd7 9.Rd1)

Where you stand

The position is a typical Grünfeld imbalance. White possesses a powerful central pawn duo and space, while Black has active pieces and a clear plan to chip away at the center. White will look to consolidate and push the d-pawn, while Black will use the knight on b6 and the bishop on g7 to create tactical threats.

• d7-b6 Relocate knight to harass the queen
• b8-c6 Develop the knight to pressure d4
• f1-e2 Complete development and break the pin
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• a1-d1 Centralize the rook to support d4