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  3. /Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D99)
D99

Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov 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.

Top Players in this Opening

Timman, Jan H10 gamesSmyslov, Vassily6 gamesBeliavsky, Alexander G3 gamesPolugaevsky, Lev3 gamesBeliavsky,A3 gamesEuwe, Max2 gamesNepomniachtchi,I2 gamesIvanchuk,V2 gamesLarsen, Bent2 gamesRadjabov,T2 games

Related Openings

D90 - Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation233D91 - Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System224D92 - Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack92D93 - Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation126D94 - Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Defense382D95 - Grünfeld Defense: Pachman Variation68D96 - Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation55D97 - Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation309D98 - Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation59

Best Games

Miton, Kamil vs Navara, David0-1
Wch U14 1998Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Timman, Jan H1-0
Linares 1993Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 22th 1958Notable
Euwe, Max vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Euwe, Max vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Keres, Paul vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Beliavsky,A vs Ftacnik,L1-0
37th Olympiad 2006
Radjabov,T vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
FIDE GP 2002
Radjabov,T vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
FIDE GP 2002
Sosonko, Gennadi vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1980
Lilienthal, Andor vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
Saltsjobaden Interzonal 1948
Beliavsky,A vs Goormachtigh,J1-0
Sunway Sitges Open 2018 2018
Jojua,D vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
16th ch-EUR Indiv 2015 2015
Miton,K vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
European Blitz 2011 2011
El Gindy,E vs Ponomariov,R0-1
World Cup 2009
Beliavsky,A vs Krasenkow,M1-0
Casino 2007
Dourerassou,J vs Carlsen,M0-1
WYb14 2003
Babula,V vs Navara,D0-1
ch-CZE 2003
Kazhgaleyev,M vs Vachier Lagrave,M1-0
28th Rapid Open 2003
Horvath,Cs vs Nakamura,H1-0
FSGMA April 2002

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