Grünfeld Defense · D83

Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Botvinnik Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Rc1 c5 7. dxc5 Be6

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the d-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. ...d5 followed by ...Nxc3 hands White a broad pawn centre on purpose: the g7 bishop and ...c5 hammer d4 all game - the centre is a target, says Black.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the West Indian Defense.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 10 more moves in this line, 14 in all.