Grünfeld Defense (A56–D99)
A hypermodern defense where Black allows White a big center then undermines it with ...d5.
Every line in this family begins 1. d4, then branches. Each variation below has its own page with the full move order, the position it reaches, and a Stockfish evaluation.
All 48 lines can be practised free in the browser: pick a variation, walk it move by move in Learn mode, then drill it from memory until you can play it without prompting.
All 48 variations of the Grünfeld Defense Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed Tarrasch A56 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. e3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 Lundin Variation D80 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack D80 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. f3 c5 Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit D83 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Botvinnik Variation D83 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Capablanca Variation D83 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 Brinckmann Attack, Reshevsky Gambit D83 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted D84 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Kramnik's Line D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation, Pawn Grab Line D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack D85 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Classical Variation D86 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation D86 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Larsen Variation D86 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Simagin's Improved Variation D86 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Simagin's Lesser Variation D86 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Seville Variation D87 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation D87 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation D88 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation D89 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation D89 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 Flohr Variation D90 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System D91 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack D92 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation D93 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Flohr Defense D94 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 Makogonov Variation D94 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Opocensky Variation D94 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Smyslov Defense D94 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation D94 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Three Knights Variation, Paris Variation D94 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Botvinnik Variation D95 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Pachman Variation D95 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation D95 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation D96 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Byrne Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Prins Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Szabo Variation D97 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Keres Variation D98 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation D98 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation D99 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Russian Variation, Yugoslav Variation D99 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 Frequently asked questions
What are the main moves of the Grünfeld Defense?
The Grünfeld Defense begins 1. d4. From there it branches into 48 named variations, each with its own move order and typical plans.
What is the ECO code for the Grünfeld Defense?
The Grünfeld Defense is catalogued under ECO codes A56–D99. Individual variations list their own specific code on their page.
How can I practise the Grünfeld Defense for free?
Open any variation on Chess Ramp and use Learn mode to walk the line one move at a time, then Drill mode to replay it from memory. Practice runs in your browser with no account required.
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