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.
Grünfeld Defense
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5
FEN: rnbqkb1r/ppp1pp1p/5np1/3p4/2PP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 4
The Grünfeld Defense is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a strong pawn center early on, only to challenge and undermine it with active piece play, particularly targeting the center with the move ...d5. The characteristic move ...d5 strikes immediately at White’s central pawns, aiming to destabilize White's control.
From Black's perspective, the Grünfeld is an attacking opening that seeks dynamic counterplay against White's center rather than a purely defensive setup. White typically aims to maintain and expand their central presence, so the game often revolves around central tension and control.
Overall, this opening is highly focused on contesting the center. White tries to establish a strong pawn center, while Black actively challenges it with piece pressure and timely pawn breaks.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Grünfeld Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 50 - Move #6 white
You can also discover how top players used Grünfeld Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.