What is the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?

The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. It is classified D87 in the ECO system. The Grünfeld invites White to build a large pawn centre with cxd5 and e4, then attacks it immediately from the fianchettoed bishop and with c5. Where the King's Indian delays the counterstrike, the Grünfeld begins it at once.

What are the moves of the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. After these moves it is white to move.

What variations come from the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?

Named continuations include Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O · ECO D87

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Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. It is classified D87 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Grünfeld invites White to build a large pawn centre with cxd5 and e4, then attacks it immediately from the fianchettoed bishop and with c5. Where the King's Indian delays the counterstrike, the Grünfeld begins it at once.

This position can also be reached by 2 other move orders, including 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 O-O 10.O-O cxd4 11.cxd4.

Strategic character

White gets a big centre and space; Black gets piece pressure aimed at it and a clear plan. If White's centre holds, White is usually much better; if Black dissolves it, Black's activity tells. There is little middle ground, which is what makes it sharp.

Who should play it

Players comfortable with dynamic positions where piece activity has to compensate for a spatial disadvantage.

This line is a variation within the Grünfeld Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O 9.O-O Nc6 10.Be3 Bg4 11.f3 Na5 12.Bd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Be6 14.d5

Frequently asked questions

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?: The Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. It is classified D87 in the ECO system. The Grünfeld invites White to build a large pawn centre with cxd5 and e4, then attacks it immediately from the fianchettoed bishop and with c5. Where the King's Indian delays the counterstrike, the Grünfeld begins it at once.
What are the moves of the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation good for beginners?: Players comfortable with dynamic positions where piece activity has to compensate for a spatial disadvantage.
What variations come from the Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation?: Named continuations include Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Sokolsky Variation. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.