Grünfeld Defense
ECO D70-D99intermediate
The Grünfeld, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5, is hypermodern chess at maximum voltage: Black invites 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3, handing White the dream pawn center — then proves it is a target. The g7 bishop, the ...c5 break and pressure down the d-file fight the center from a distance, and theory confirms the audacity: the Grünfeld is among Black's soundest and most aggressive defenses, the choice of Fischer, Kasparov and Carlsen in must-win games.
Main line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 O-O 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 Qxd5
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 42 | 50% | 2.4% | 47.6% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 |
| 600-800 | 122 | 41% | 4.9% | 54.1% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 |
| 800-1000 | 26 | 61.5% | 0% | 38.5% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 |
| 1000-1200 | 115 | 48.7% | 2.6% | 48.7% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 |
| 1200-1400 | 349 | 47.3% | 2.6% | 50.1% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7:
- Nf3 — played 49% of the time (White wins 43.3%, draws 1.8%, Black wins 55%)
- Bc4 — played 13.8% of the time (White wins 54.2%, draws 4.2%, Black wins 41.7%)
- e5 — played 10.6% of the time (White wins 37.8%, draws 0%, Black wins 62.2%)
Frequently asked questions
How is the Grünfeld different from the King's Indian?
Both fianchetto the king's bishop, but the philosophy is opposite: the KID closes the center with ...d6/...e5 and attacks the king; the Grünfeld liquidates the center with ...d5 and attacks the resulting pawns with pieces. The Grünfeld is more forcing, more theoretical, and structurally sounder.
Is the Grünfeld too theoretical for club players?
The Exchange Variation main lines are heavy, but the core plan is one idea executed many ways: pile on d4 with ...c5, ...Bg7, ...Qa5 and rook to d8. Club players can run far on that single principle plus a setup against the Russian System (Qb3) — and the positions reward the better-prepared side handsomely.
Learn the Grünfeld Defense for free
Interactive move-by-move training, ELO-calibrated sparring bots that actually play these lines, and spaced-repetition reviews. No installs, free to start.