D77

Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

The Grünfeld Defence is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a big pawn centre, then attacks it with pieces and the ...c5 break. The central tension creates exciting, tactical positions.

History & Notable Players

Introduced by Ernst Grünfeld in 1922. It became a world-class weapon through Vasily Smyslov and Bobby Fischer, and was later used extensively by Garry Kasparov in his World Championship matches.

Best Games

So,W vs Aronian,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Giri,A vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
World Youth U16 Olympiad • 2018★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Grischuk,A1-0
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
8th London Classic 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Topalov,V1-0
8th London Classic 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Karpov,An vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Georgiev, Kiril vs Svidler, Peter1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Polgar, Judit0-1
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Schussler, Harry vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
WchT U26 • 1981★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
CrunchLab Masters Div 2 L • 2024
Svidler,P vs Kramnik,V1-0
Levitov Chess Week Rapid • 2023
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2023 • 2023
Gelfand,B vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
Satty Zhuldyz Blitz 2023 • 2023
Kramnik,V vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
Chessable Play-In Match • 2023
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Airthings Masters Div 1 W • 2023
Gukesh,D vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
8th Gashimov Mem Rapid • 2022

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