The Botvinnik Variation is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D95. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Qb3 e6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Grünfeld Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White a big center then undermines it with ...d5.
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The Botvinnik Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Qb3 e6. It is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D95.
The Botvinnik Variation is ECO D95. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Grünfeld Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Qb3 e6 at -0.12 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.