ECO code: D70
Neo-Gruenfeld: Alekhine's, 5.e4 Nb6
The opening arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6. This variation is a modern and flexible approach within the Gruenfeld Defense family, blending ideas from the Alekhine's Defense with classical Gruenfeld themes.
Characteristic of the move 5...Nb6: Instead of contesting the center immediately with ...Nxc3 or ...Nf6-e3 pins, Black retreats the knight to b6, aiming to pressure White's central pawns later while avoiding early exchanges. This maneuver preserves tension and prepares counterplay on the queenside and central dark squares.
From White's perspective, the opening is attacking, as White builds a strong pawn center with e4 and d4, supported by f3, aiming to control the center and space.
Black's setup is generally defensive initially, focusing on undermining White's center later rather than direct early attacks. The move ...Nb6 is part of a strategic plan to challenge White's center from a safe position.
Center Control: This opening heavily emphasizes attacking the center. White establishes a broad pawn center early on, while Black aims to counterattack and break down this center in the middlegame.
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 Neo-Gruenfeld: Alekhine's, 5.e4 Nb6, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #42 white