ECO code: A16
English: Anglo-Grünfeld, 3.cxd5 Nxd5
This opening arises after the moves 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5. It is a hybrid between the English Opening and the Grünfeld Defense, where Black challenges White's control of the center early with ...d5, and after the exchange on d5, Black recaptures promptly with the knight.
Characteristic: The key feature of this line is Black’s active knight recapture on d5, which immediately contests the center and aims for dynamic piece play. This approach often leads to open positions where both sides have chances to develop rapidly.
Attacking or Defensive: For White, this variation is generally considered balanced but slightly more positional, aiming to build pressure on Black's central presence. Black’s move 3...Nxd5 is more assertive, aiming for active piece play and central counterplay, thus it can be viewed as an attacking stance.
Center Control: This opening directly contests the center early on. Black challenges White’s central influence with ...d5 and recaptures actively, making central control a key theme for both sides.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English: Anglo-Gruenfeld, 3.cxd5 Nxd5, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 15 - Move #5 black