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.
Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Original Defense
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. O-O d5
This variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense is characterized by Black's early ...c6 move, supporting the central ...d5 break. By playing ...c6 before ...d5, Black prepares to challenge White’s center in a solid and flexible manner. The setup with ...g6 and ...Bg7 allows Black to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop, putting pressure on the long diagonal and supporting control over the central and queenside squares.
From Black’s perspective, this opening is counterattacking. Black aims to strike at White’s center with ...d5, challenging White’s pawns and seeking active piece play. White, meanwhile, typically adopts a positional and flexible approach, focusing on development and maintaining central control.
Regarding the center, Black explicitly attacks the center with the timely ...d5 pawn break, contesting White’s central pawns directly. White also maintains a strong presence in the center with pawns on d4 and c4, and will often try to build up central control or leverage the space advantage that the Neo-Grünfeld structure provides.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Original Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #20 white
You can also discover how top players used Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Original Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.