Gruenfeld Russian–Alekhine: 8.e5 b5 9.Qb3 Nfd7

Grünfeld Defence: Russian System

Definition

The Russian System of the Grünfeld Defence is a branch that begins after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3. White immediately attacks the d5–pawn and places the queen on b3 to discourage the thematic Grünfeld break …c7-c5. The name “Russian” alludes to its early development by Moscow-based masters in the 1920s and 30s, most notably Peter Romanovsky, Viacheslav Ragozin, and later Alexander Alekhine.

How it is used in play

• The queen on b3 performs multiple tasks:

• Pressure on d5 and b7.
• Supports an eventual c4-cxd5 recapturing on d5 with a piece.
• Makes …c5 less attractive because the c-pawn is pinned against the b7-pawn.

Black normally responds with 5…dxc4, temporarily giving up the centre to undermine White’s set-up later. Other tries such as 5…c6 or 5…e6 are rarer sidelines.

Strategic significance

• White keeps a broad pawn centre (usually e4–d4–c4) and aims to advance it.
• Black’s plan revolves around rapid piece activity and counter-attacking the centre with …c5 and/or …e5.
• The system often leads to unbalanced middlegames where both sides can play for a win.

Illustrative example

The main line runs:

5…dxc4 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4 a6, reaching the tabiya of the Russian System. From here White can choose 8.Be2, 8.Bg5, or the sharp 8.e5 (the starting point of the Alekhine Variation—see below).

Historical notes & anecdotes

• A young Garry Kasparov employed the Russian System in several key games of the 1980s, helping to revive it at elite level.
• The line was a favourite of former World Champion Alexander Alekhine when he briefly returned to tournament play in 1936–39, inspiring several of its sub-variations’ names.
• Modern grandmasters such as Peter Svidler and Daniil Dubov continue to explore new ideas in this system, often backed by heavy engine preparation.

Famous game

Kasparov – Anand, Linares 1992, is a classic in which White’s queenside pressure was balanced by Black’s dynamic Grünfeld play, ending in a thrilling draw.

Alekhine Variation (in the Russian System of the Grünfeld)

Definition

The Alekhine Variation arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 8.e5 b5. Black thrusts the b-pawn two squares to chase the white queen and seize queenside space, while accepting weakened dark squares. It is named for Alexander Alekhine, who first played …b5 in a 1937 training game versus Vladimir Alatortsev.

Strategic ideas

• Black:
  • Gains space on the queenside and prepares …Bb7 and …c5 to undermine White’s centre from a distance.
  • Often re-routes the f6-knight to d7 (after …Nfd7) to support …c5.
• White:
  • Maintains the e5-d4 pawn wedge, restricting Black’s minor pieces.
  • Tries to exploit the loosened queenside with a timely a2-a4 or Ne4-c5.

Move-order nuances

Many top players insert 8…b6 or 8…Ne8 before …b5 to sidestep certain concrete lines, but the direct 8…b5 remains the most thematic. After 9.Qb3 (forced, guarding b5 and keeping an eye on f7) Black plays 9…Nfd7—the subject of the next entry.

Historical & practical relevance

• The variation was considered dubious for decades until Soviet analysis in the 1960s rehabilitated it.
• It enjoyed a renaissance when Peter Svidler used it successfully in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• Its complexity makes it a useful surprise weapon; engines show the position to be roughly balanced but extremely sharp.

Example game

Svidler – Kasparov, Moscow Blitz 2004: Kasparov held a razor-sharp draw, demonstrating the robustness of Black’s set-up despite early material imbalances.

Interesting facts

• Alekhine reportedly devised …b5 during a casual analysis session with fellow grandmasters, announcing, “If Black is going to fight for the centre, why not do it from the flank?”
• The move …b5 echoes ideas from the Benko Gambit, showing the Grünfeld’s flexibility.

8.e5 b5 9.Qb3 Nfd7 (Key Position)

Definition

This move sequence marks the main line of the Alekhine Variation. After 9…Nfd7, the characteristic position has arisen:

Plans for both sides

• Black’s set-up
  • …Bb7, …c5, and sometimes …e6 strike at the d4–e5 chain.
  • The knight on d7 supports …c5 and may hop to b6 or f8-g6.
  • The a6–b5 pawn duo gives queenside space and a potential outpost on c4.
• White’s resources
  • a2-a4 undermining the pawn wall.
  • Ne4 to target c5 squares, or Bf4/Bg5 to increase pressure on d7 and e7.
  • Long-term kingside expansion with h2-h4-h5 when the centre is stable.

Typical continuations

1. 10.e6 f5 11.exd7+ Nxd7 – a forcing line leading to dynamic equality.
2. 10.a4 c5 11.axb5 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxe5 – Black sacrifices a pawn for central activity.
3. 10.h4 – the modern “Dubov push,” aiming for a pawn storm on the kingside.

Theoretical assessment

Current engine evaluations hover around 0.00 to +0.20 for White—practically equal yet fiercely double-edged. Prep-heavy correspondence and computer games indicate both sides hold with best play, but the imbalance of space versus centre offers rich opportunities.

Notable encounters

• Caruana – Nakamura, Zürich 2014 (rapid): White’s a4 idea led to a swift queenside collapse for Black.
• So – Vachier-Lagrave, Tata Steel 2017: MVL equalised comfortably and later won in a rook endgame.

Trivia & fun facts

• Because 9…Nfd7 retreats the knight after the bold …b5 thrust, some commentators jokingly call it “the boomerang knight”—it goes forward on move one (Nf6), retreats on move nine, and may rebound to b6 later.
• Engines have unearthed a rare line 10.h4!?, sacrificing a pawn for rapid piece play, which was first tested in the 2020 online blitz boom.