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Grünfeld Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5
The Grünfeld Defense starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 and is catalogued under ECO D80. It belongs to the closed games section of the book. The catalog indexes 59 lines inside it, grouped into 51 named variations. The position after those moves has 9 playable continuations to walk from here.
i Interactive lessons Grunfeld Defense
23 min · 12 steps · 7 questions
Opening repertoire map Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Open Grünfeld Defense position Study Grünfeld Defense position Collapse Grünfeld Defense continuations
Show replies after Nf3 — Three Knights Variation Study Nf3 — Three Knights Variation position Expand Nf3 — Three Knights Variation continuations
Show replies after cxd5 — Grünfeld Defense Study cxd5 — Grünfeld Defense position Expand cxd5 — Grünfeld Defense continuations
Show replies after Bf4 — Brinckmann Attack Study Bf4 — Brinckmann Attack position Expand Bf4 — Brinckmann Attack continuations
Show replies after Bg5 — Stockholm Variation Study Bg5 — Stockholm Variation position Expand Bg5 — Stockholm Variation continuations
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1. d4
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
1… Nf6
Develops a knight and prevents White from occupying e4 unchallenged.
Idea: Keep the central pawns flexible and choose an Indian setup after White commits.
2. c4
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
2… g6
Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
3. Nc3
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
3… d5
Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Book continuations Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
9 moves Nf3 Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation 20 named lines · Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation · Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game. Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.cxd5 Grünfeld Defense 11 named lines · Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation · Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack Captures the pawn on d5 and changes the local balance of pawns and pieces. Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the pawn structure for the next phase.Bf4 Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack 6 named lines · Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit · Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Reshevsky Gambit Develops the bishop to f4, bringing it into the game. Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Bg5 Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation 2 named lines · Grünfeld Defense: Lundin Variation Develops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game. Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.f3 Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation 2 named lines · Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack Advances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares. Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.e3 Grünfeld Defense 1 named line · Grünfeld Defense: Pachman Variation Advances to e3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares. Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.g4 Grünfeld Defense: Gibbon Gambit 1 named line Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares. Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.h4 Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit 1 named line Advances the h-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares. Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Qb3 Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation 1 named line Repositions the queen to b3, where it influences a new part of the board. Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.Named variations Each line below is an indexed entry under Grünfeld Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.
Grünfeld Defense D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Brinckmann Attack D82 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Bf4 Gibbon Gambit D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 g4 Lutikov Variation D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 f3 Openings from the same volume ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Grünfeld Defense.
C o dy Clear chess coaching, right beside the board.
Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation D81
d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Qb3
Stockholm Variation D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Bg5
Three Knights Variation D90 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3
Zaitsev Gambit D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 h4
Counterthrust Variation E60 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 g3 Bg7 Bg2 d5
Exchange Variation D85 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 cxd5 Nxd5
Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack D85 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 cxd5 Nxd5 Na4
Flohr Variation D90 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 Qa4+
Russian Variation D96 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 Qb3
Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation D94 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 e3
Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack D92 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 Bf4
Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System D91 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 Bg5
Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit D83 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Bf4 Bg7 e3 O-O
Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Capablanca Variation D83 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Bf4 Bg7 e3 O-O Rc1
Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack D80 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 f3 c5 cxd5 Nxd5 Na4
Makogonov Variation D94 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 e3 O-O b4
Opocensky Variation D94 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 e3 O-O Bd2
Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation D93 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 Bf4 O-O e3
Three Knights Variation, Paris Variation D94 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 e3 O-O Bd3
Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation D95 d4 Nf6 c4 g6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 Bg7 e3 O-O Qb3 © 2026 Cody Chess. All rights reserved.
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