Getting started with the Gruenfeld defense

This lesson focuses on one of the most dynamic answers to 1. d4. The Gruenfeld is a strategically unique opening, that is nowadays commonly played at top level, with excellent results. This lesson has been first featured on Chess Trainer, an iPhone application helping you to improve your Chess. Many other lessons are also available on the Chess Trainer blog, so please have a look and check by yourself ! Be sure not to miss any exclusive lesson by subscribing to the Chess Trainer Newsletter ! This lesson is going to give you an overview on the typical moves that constitute the Gruenfeld defense, as well as typical plans for both sides. As usual, we will start with the moves that start this opening.

1. d4 1 Nf6 The standard move, more flexible than d5 2. c4 2 g6 Black will fianchetto his Bishop on g7. So far, the game starts like a Kings Indian defense. 3. Nc3 The logical move, threatening e4 3 d5

Now this is a curious move. Isnt the d5-pawn a bit too isolated ?

As we will soon discover, Black has enough resources against Whites soon-to-be huge pawn center. The theory of the Gruenfeld is very developed and we are only going to study one of the main lines:

4. cxd5 White logically wants to attract the Knight to the center, where it can be attacked. 4 Nxd5 5. e4 The normal move. Now Black can get rid of their Knight. 5 Nxc3 6. bxc3 6 Bg7

Funnily, Black has been waiting for 3 moves before moving that Bishop to g7.

Here we are! This is a very typical position where Whites space advantage is compensated by Blacks piece activity.

Whites pawn center is indeed impressive, and Black has to be quick attacking it, else White will be better.

Fortunately, Black has a lot of moves that will help to contain Whites powerful center. First of all, the g7-Bishop is a wonderful asset, targeting d4, c3, and even the Rook on a1.

Black has to play c5 first.

Once c5 is played, Black should play Nc6.

And then, Black should play O-O to complete the development.

Once these moves are played, the Queen will be well placed on c7 or a5.

And finally, as soon as White plays Nf3, Black can pin the Knight with Bg4.

White has a lot of ideas as well. Lets have a look at a few standard moves. First, the Bishop often goes to c4.

On b1, the Rook targets b7, but goes at the same time out of the g7-Bishops range.

Knight to f3 and Bishop to e3 are also pretty standard.

However, there are countless variations around these moves and many possibilities for both sides to deviate.

If you want to play the Gruebfeld with Black, be aware that the move order matters, and you should be careful if White tries to trick you. This point is illustrated by the following example:

1. d4 1 Nf6 2. c4 2 g6 3. Nf3 White chooses not to play Nc3. At this point, Black should not play automatically. 3 d5 This move is a small mistake, can you see why ?

Position after 3d5. How to take advantage of this position with White ? Take some time and think about what is different now. Solution:

The following moves give a small advantage to White: 4. cxd5 Correct! This sequence is stronger here than in the normal Gruenfeld line. 4 Nxd5 5. e4 Now the Knight cannot be exchanged against its counterpart in c3. Black has to retreat instead. 5 Nb6 The Knight is not very well placed here. Black has a space disadvantage with too many pieces on the board.

If you play the Gruenfeld, you have to wait for Nc3 to play d5: that way the f6-Knight can be exchanged against the c3-Knight. The following example shows how Black correctly handles the situation:

1. d4 1 Nf6 2. c4 2 g6 3. Nf3 3 Bg7 This is a very good move. Black waits for Nc3 before pushing d5. 4. Nc3 4 d5 Now Black can play d5 and we are back in the main line of the Gruenfeld.

What we have seen is only a tiny fraction of the Gruenfelds theory, that is one of the richest in Chess. This is really a unique opening, as it plans cannot be found in any other opening. It is also one of the most popular openings against 1. d4 at top level, played many times by Kasparov. Today, Peter Svidler may be the best specialist of this defense. Please look at Chess Trainer for more lessons on openings, and dont forget to suscribe to the Chess Trainer Newsletter to receive more lessons by email !