1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Grünfeld Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5ECO D70–D99
A hypermodern gem: Black lets White build a big pawn centre, then chips away at it with pieces and the …c5 break. Dynamic, theoretical, and a favourite of world-class players.
Key ideas
- Black fianchettoes and strikes with …d5, inviting White to over-extend in the centre.
- The plan is to attack White's centre with …c5 and piece pressure on the long diagonal.
- Sharp and concrete — one of the most respected answers to 1.d4.
Who it suits
Dynamic players comfortable giving White a big centre to counterattack it.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Grünfeld Defence move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer