Grünfeld Defence: Classical Exchange, 7...b6
Grünfeld Defence: Classical Exchange, 7...b6
Definition
The line known as “Grünfeld: Classical Exchange, 7…b6” arises in the Grünfeld Defence after the Exchange Variation in which White captures on d5. Black replies with an early …b6, preparing a double fianchetto and unique piece play in the centre. In ECO it is catalogued under D85.
Typical Move-order and Tabiya
The main sequence runs:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 b6
(the starting position of the variation).
A common continuation is
8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O c5 10. Re1 Nc6 11. Bb2.
For readers who prefer a visual aid:
Strategic Themes
- Double Fianchetto: Black’s light-squared bishop joins its counterpart on g7 via …Bb7, exerting long-range pressure on the central dark squares e4 and d5.
- Central Counterplay: Just like in other Grünfeld branches, Black relies on moves such as …c5, …Nc6 and occasional …e5 to undermine White’s pawn centre.
- Minor-piece Activity: The knight on b8 often heads to c6, while the c8-bishop seeks the a6–f1 diagonal when circumstances allow.
- End-game Comfort: The symmetrical pawn structure plus the healthy bishop pair often yields Black favourable endings if he neutralises White’s early initiative.
- White’s Broad Centre: White typically keeps pawns on c3, d4 and e4, enjoys more space and tries to advance d4-d5 or e4-e5, or switch to kingside aggression with h4–h5.
Historical Background
When Ernst Grünfeld introduced his defence in the 1920s, most players steered toward 7…c5. The quieter 7…b6 was debated in the 1950s by the Soviet school—Petrosian and Bronstein both tried it—yet it truly gained traction after Boris Spassky used it in the 1960s. In contemporary practice it is a core weapon of Peter Svidler, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alexander Grischuk.
Plans for Each Side
-
White:
- Development: Bc4, O-O, Re1, sometimes Ba3 to trade the fianchettoed bishop.
- Central Pushes: d4-d5 or e4-e5 to seize space or open lines for heavy pieces.
- Queenside Pressure: Rb1 and a4-a5 challenge Black’s queen-side pawns.
- Kingside Attack: h4–h5, Ng5 ideas if Black castles short.
-
Black:
- Set-up: …Bb7, …Nd7–f6 or …Nc6, …Qc7, …Rad8.
- Counter-breaks: …c5! (most thematic), …e5 or even …f5 in some lines.
- Piece Trades: Exchanging a pair of minor pieces reduces White’s space advantage.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik – Svidler, Dortmund 2006
A model demonstration of Black’s resources:
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because both bishops are often raking along long diagonals, the structure is nick-named the “turbo Grünfeld” in some Russian literature.
- In online blitz, specialists sometimes delay …b6 until move 9 or 10, disguising their intent and avoiding deep home preparation.
- The move …b6 offers a psychological bonus: players familiar only with the massive theory of 7…c5 may be less comfortable handling the double-fianchetto positions.
- A table-base quirk: with best play after heavy simplification a 6-vs-6 pawn ending (pawns on a-, c-, d-files only) is a theoretical draw, so some engines steer toward …b6 lines when playing the Grünfeld.
Why Choose 7…b6?
Tournament players who enjoy Grünfeld dynamics but wish to avoid the ocean of theory in the 7…c5 main line can adopt 7…b6. While objectively sound, it demands a different skill-set—patient manoeuvring rather than immediate tactical liquidations—and therefore works well as a surprise weapon at every level from club to super-GM.