Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation (D98)

The Russian Variation, Keres Variation is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D98. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nc6 11. O-O-O, reaching the position shown below after 21 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 11 moves. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.

On the Grünfeld Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White a big center then undermines it with ...d5.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Position characteristics

• Opposite-side castling

Related Grünfeld Defense lines

• Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation
• Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation
• Russian Variation, Prins Variation
• Russian Variation, Szabo Variation
• Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation
• Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation
• Russian Variation, Yugoslav Variation
• Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed Tarrasch
• Lundin Variation
• Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack
• Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit

See all 48 Grünfeld Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Russian Variation, Keres Variation?

The Russian Variation, Keres Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nc6 11. O-O-O. It is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D98.

What is the ECO code for the Russian Variation, Keres Variation?

The Russian Variation, Keres Variation is ECO D98. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Grünfeld Defense.

Is the Russian Variation, Keres Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nc6 11. O-O-O at +0.27 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.

What kind of position does the Russian Variation, Keres Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.