Grunfeld Defense – How to Play (as White & Black)

The dynamic, hypermodern Grunfeld Defense is arguably one of Black’s most aggressive defenses to 1.d4. 

• You cannot succeed with the Grunfeld Defense unless you are crystal clear about the strategies and resources available to both sides in this fantastic defense.
• The Exchange Variation is an extremely popular response for White against the Grunfeld Defense, and there are three approaches White can adopt – 7.Nf3, 7.Bc4, and a delayed e4 advance.
• The other main option for White is the Russian System when White holds back e4 and develops with 5.Qb3. Between them, the Russian System and the Exchange variation form the main theoretical battlegrounds of the Grunfeld Defense.
• Playing the Grunfeld Defense requires laying a solid foundation of the opening theory and tactics. This defense is not one you want to try and figure out at the board. You’ll need to be thoroughly prepared before making your first move, but the hard work will pay handsome dividends.

Welcome to the Exciting Grunfeld Defense

Although there are many highly tactical lines in the Grunfeld Defense, its positional soundness also allows for quieter options. These lines provide chess players who are not 2700+ rated Grunfeld Defense specialists an opportunity to play the Grunfeld Defense.

In light of this, the Grunfeld Defense is a viable, attacking defense to 1.d4 many chess players can enjoy. There is no need to restrain your attacking flair or tactical brilliance by choosing one of the safer defenses to 1.d4.

Furthermore, your understanding of the Grunfeld Defense positions makes it a suitable system against other popular opening choices by White,  like the Catalan Opening and London System.

The Ideas and Strategies of the Grunfeld Defense

The Grunfeld Defense begins with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

In typical hypermodern fashion, Black invites White to create an extensive center with 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4, which gets attacked immediately with …Bg7 and …c5.

The pawn on c3 is often sacrificed by White because it lacks any support from another pawn and is under fire from Black’s powerful g7-bishop. White often prioritizes active piece play and development ahead over defending the pawn.

Sacrifices and counter-sacrifices are common in many variations of the Grunfeld Defense.

One of the most unusual things to strike you about the Grunfeld Defense is the combination of play on the dark squares with …g6 and …Bg7 and light-square play with …d5 and …Nxd5.

Many of Black’s defenses to 1.d4 tend to focus on one color complex. For example, the Slav Defense focuses on the light squares by placing pawns on d5 and c6, and the Benoni Defense on dark squares – pawns on d6 and c5.

This focus on both color complexes also makes itself known on the White side. White can play on the dark squares with moves like Ne2, Be3, and Qd2, or on the light squares with Qb3 and Bc4.

Unsurprisingly the “Game of the Century” between Byrne and Fischer in 1956 featured the Grunfeld Defense. The attacking nature of the Grunfeld Defense suited Bobby Fischer exceptionally well.

The attacking nature of the Grunfeld Defense makes it unsurprising that another attacking chess legend, Garry Kasparov, would later include it in his repertoire. More recently, Maxime Vachier Lagrave and Peter Svidler have enjoyed success with the Grunfeld Defense.

The Grunfeld Defense Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation, along with the Russian System, form the main battlegrounds in the Grunfeld Defense. Since the Exchange Variation is a natural way to challenge Black’s play, we will begin here.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 brings us to the starting position of the Grunfeld Defense Exchange Variation.

One of the most played moves for Black in the Grunfeld Defense is …c5. Attacking the e4-pawn is difficult after exchanging the f6-knight for the knight on c3.

However, Black’s bishop on g7 and queen on d8 combine to attack the d4-pawn. Thus …c5 followed soon with …cxd4 is an excellent strategy for Black.

After the exchange of pawns on d4, you will notice Black has a 2:1 queenside pawn majority. Despite having a majority, it is not a good idea to rush into pushing pawns up the board.

Placing a pawn on b6, supported by the a7-pawn, controls the vital c5-square and provides a safe haven for the bishop on b7. 

There is a time and place for holding back, even in a dynamic opening like the Grunfeld Defense. One of the vital aspects of playing excellent chess is balancing restraint with an attack.

The Exchange Variation With 7.Nf3

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3

Now one of the crucial moves for White is 8.Rb1 moves the rook off the h8-a1 diagonal and placing pressure on the b7-pawn.

7…c5 8.Rb1 0-0 9.Be2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qa5+

The most popular way of blocking this check is with 11.Bd2, even though it involves a pawn sacrifice. White gets a lead in development and control of the center. 

Despite having none of his queenside pieces developed and no pawns in the center, Black is holding his own in this dynamic position.

In a recent battle between two of the world’s strongest chess players, Alexander Grischuk defeated Anish Giri.

Exchange Variation With 7.Bc4

In this variation, White usually follows Bc4 with Ne2 to avoid the knight getting pinned with …Bg4. Developing the knight to e2 does not mean Black cannot play …Bg4 since f3 weakens the kingside.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4

Once again, Black continues with the thematic 7…c5.

7…c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Bg4 11.f3

Now it is time for Black to counter-attack by creating threats against White’s loose pieces.

11…Na5 12.Bd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Be6

If you want to learn how to play this position with Black, see how Jussupow defeated Vishy Anand in this variation.

Exchange Variation with a Delayed e4 Advance

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bd2

White seeks to recapture on c3 with the bishop where it will oppose Black’s strong bishop on g7 and add an extra defender to the d-pawn. The move 5.Bd2 was favored by former world champion Vassily Smyslov.

Another option for White is to play 5.Nf3 before Bd2. Play is likely to continue 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Bd2, but you provide Black the option of playing 5…Nxc3 when you must recapture with the pawn.

If your opening strategy includes playing with the bishop on d3, then it makes sense to play Bd2 sooner rather than later. 

5…Bg7 6.e4 Nxc3 7.Bxc3 Nc6 8.Bb5 0-0 9.Ne2 Qd6

Both sides have developed their pieces to natural squares, and Black will attempt to undermine White’s center with play along the d-file, supported by …e5.

Russian System with 5.Qb3

Unlike in the Exchange Variation where White plays e4 to initiate …Nxc3, developing the queen to b3 is the defining move of the Russian System. The pressure this places on d5 practically forces Black to surrender the center with …dxc4.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4

After 7.e4, one of Black’s best approaches is to play 7…Bg4 followed by …Nfd7 to open up the bishop on g7 and apply pressure on d4. This variation is another credited to Vassily Smyslov and is still a sound approach today.

The Grunfeld Defense lends itself to exciting games, and when you add opposite-side castling, there will be additional fireworks. In the next game, White castled queenside only to have his king driven back to e2!

Grunfeld Defense With Bf4

The line with 4.Bf4 is not as dangerous as the Exchange and Russian Variations. Black can equalize if he knows the unusual …Be6-c8, …Nfd7, and …e5 strategy.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4

4…Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Rc1 Be6 7.c5 c6 8.Bd3 Bc8 9.h3 Nfd7 10.Nf3 e5

This move is the reason behind undeveloping the bishop and playing …Nfd7. If White plays dxe5, Black is best served by capturing the c-pawn with …Nxc5.

Grunfeld Defense Bg5 Lines

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5

In this position, the most popular move by black is 4…Ne4, but if you are looking to play a dynamic pawn sacrifice, 4…Bg7 is the move you want. After 5.Bxf6 Bxf6 6.cxd5 c6, Black gets excellent play for the sacrificed pawn.

Magnus Carlsen has played both 4…Ne4 and 4…Bg7. He defeated Levon Aronian with the pawn sacrifice, confirming it is a viable option.

4…Ne4 5.Bh4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 dxc4 7.e3 Be6 8.Rb1 Bg7 9.Nh3 b6 10.Nf4 Bf5

Although white has the extra pawn in the center, the black queenside pawn mass can become extremely dangerous when it becomes mobile. The bishop on g7 offers a lot of support, and Black can use the d3-square for a knight.

Take a look at how Alexander Grischuk used both factors in his game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.

Closed Variation

Although the Closed Variation is another variation that does not pose a serious threat to black, it does lead to complex middlegames. These complex middlegames offer equal chances for both sides to play for the win.

The positions are dynamically balanced, making this a viable option with white. A good choice if you are looking for a way to meet the Grunfeld Defense without learning a lot of opening theory.

Because it is one of the minor lines, there is the chance to catch your opponent unprepared.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.e3 

5…0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 Nc6 9.h3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Na5 11.Be2 Be6

Developing the bishop to the e6-square controls d5 and places pressure on the queenside. Black can sacrifice the e7-pawn in return for activating his pieces and occupying the now open e-file.

This is the approach Ftacnik adopted against Polak, who lost his way in the complex middlegame and blundered with 17.Qa3??

Final Thoughts

When you take up the Grunfeld Defense as your primary weapon against 1.d4, you are committing to play an aggressive opening and must not hold back. In spite of its attacking and tactical nature, the Grunfeld Defense stands unrefuted because of its positional soundness.

This chess opening is one you can continue to play for many years. Although not the most straightforward opening to learn you can start playing it at club level.

Begin your journey in the Grunfeld Defense with GM Peter Svidler, who has played the Grunfeld Defense for over 25 years!

Grunfeld Defense: Frequently Asked Questions