The grunfeld defense (ECO codes D70- D99) is a chess opening characterized by the moves.
It is one of the most popular and renowned defenses for black today against 1.d4, the grunfeld, is employed by both top players and amateurs who like to play active and look for complications with black pieces.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5
Black offers white the possibility of cxd5, when after… Nxd5 White further gets the opportunity to kick back knight around with e4, leading to an imposing central pawn duo for White. If White does not take the d5 pawn, black may eventually play… dxc4, when a white response of e4 again leads to the same pawn structure.
In classical opening theory this imposing pawn centre was held to give White a large advantage, but the Hypermodern School, which was coming to the fore in the 1920s, held that a large pawn centre could be a liability rather than an asset. The Grunfeld is therefore a key hypermodern opening, showing in stark terms how a large pawn centre can either be a powerful battering ram or a target for attack.
However, it has not always been this popular, as it contradicts the general rules of chess. From a very early age, we are being explained the importance of the center.
Every beginner player is told that he/she needs to control the center, thus they must begin with 1.e4/e5 or 1.d4/d5. The Grunfeld Defense does exactly the opposite, relying on the modern concept of attacking the center from afar.
The opening started to gain popularity after Ernest Grunfeld’s victory over future World Champion Alexander Alekhine in 1922. Since then it has become a feared weapon, as it can lead to very sharp play.
Black’s activity can become dangerous if white doesn’t know how to correctly parry it. Once the dark-squared bishop from g7 (black’s most treasured piece in this opening) comes to life on the long diagonal, it can cause great trouble on white’s queenside.
Black’s play take place in the center and queenside, where he achieves a pawn majority in most of the lines.
Apart from the above, among the more popular continuations are:
· 4.Bg5 (Taimanov variation) ECO D80
· 4.Qb3 (Accelerated Russian System) ECO D81
· 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qa4+ (Flohr variation) ECO D90
· 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.e3 (Quiet System or Slow System) ECO D94
· 4.CXD5 Nxd5 5.Na4 (Nadanian Variation) ECO D85
So this was all basic about the Grunfeld Defense let us know any other variation you know which we have forget to mention above and keep reading and adding to your knowledge.