Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation
ECO D97 · Grünfeld Defense · positional · advanced
The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation (D97) is a positional chess opening in the Grünfeld Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4. Avoids main lines. Calmer system. Recommended for advanced players.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4
About this opening
The Russian System (4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3) develops the queen to b3 to step up the pressure on the d5 pawn and prompt Black into ...dxc4, after which the queen recovers the pawn on c4. White seeks harmonious development and a supported center, Black the typical Grünfeld counterplay with ...c5 and ...Nc6. It is a measured, strategic approach long favored by the Soviet school.