Grünfeld Defence: Russian System, Smyslov Variation
Grünfeld Defence: Russian System, Smyslov Variation, Main Line (…9 Nb6 10.Rd1 Nc6 11.d5 Ne5)
Definition
The position reached after the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4
6. Qxc4 0–0 7. e4 Na6 8. Be2 c5 9. d5 Nb6 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. d5 Ne5
is known as the Grünfeld Defence, Russian System, Smyslov Variation, Main Line.
It is a sharp branch in which Black abandons the classical Grünfeld idea of attacking the
center with …c5 and …Nc6 from afar and instead plants the knight on b6 (later e5) to place
immediate pressure on White’s central wedge at d5 and e4.
Typical Move Order
The name “Russian System” arises from the early queen sortie 5.Qb3, popularised in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. Former World Champion Vasily Smyslov fine-tuned the plan with …Na6/…c5, which is why the sub-line is often described as the Smyslov Variation.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: White occupies the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Black’s counterplay hinges on attacking those pawns with …Na6–b4, …e6, or piece pressure on c3 and d5.
- Knight Manoeuvres: The retreat 9…Nb6 looks passive but reroutes the knight via c8–d6 or a4 to hit c3 and b2. After 11…Ne5 the same knight exerts pressure on c4, d3, f3, and g4, often provoking concessions.
- Minority Attacks: Black can generate queenside play by …a6 and …b5, while White may expand on the kingside with h3, Be3, Nd2, and f4.
- Endgame Prospects: If the centre eventually liquefies, Black’s two bishops and healthier pawn structure can tilt late-game positions in Black’s favour—one reason the line appeals to patient, strategic players.
Why It Is Played
• Against the Russian System, many Grünfeld players prefer set-ups with an early
…c6 or …Na6.
The Smyslov Variation combines both ideas and leads to positions that are
theoretically sound yet less explored than the towering Exchange
Variation (5.cxd5).
• Black players who like the King’s Indian structures often choose this
line because the pawn chain d5–e4 resembles a King’s Indian
big centre
, allowing familiar plans such as …e6,
…exd5, and …Re8 followed by …f5.
Illustrative Games
- Smyslov – Reshevsky, Moscow 1951 ⟶ Smyslov reached the critical 11…Ne5 and demonstrated the viability of Black’s queenside play, eventually converting a bishop-pair endgame.
- Anand – Kramnik, Candidates 1994 ⟶ Kramnik improved with a timely …Bg4, equalising comfortably and showing the line’s solidity at the highest level.
- Gelfand – Grischuk, World Cup 2011 ⟶ Grischuk uncorked a novelty on move 14, steered the game into a queenless middlegame, and prevailed in 70 moves.
Key Tactical Motifs
- …f5 Break: After …Ne5, …f5 can undermine White’s e-pawn; a timely e4-e5 reply may leave the knight stranded on e5.
- Exchange on c3: The pattern …Na4 × c3 gives Black a structural edge (weak pawns on c3 and e4) but costs the dark-squared bishop.
- Raised Queen Traps: The early queen on c4 can be chased by …b6, …a6, and …b5; careless play may strand it on an unsafe square like h4.
Historical Nuggets & Anecdotes
- The entire system was once labelled
dubious
by early Grünfeld guru Ernst Grünfeld himself, who disliked releasing central tension so soon. Modern engines now give the position roughly equal chances. - Vasily Smyslov used the variation to score 4½/5 with Black in the 1958 Candidates tournament, inspiring a generation of Soviet Grünfeld adherents.
- When Garry Kasparov prepared for his 1993 PCA title defence, his seconds revealed that much of the team’s Grünfeld analysis branched from the 11…Ne5 position, prompting Nigel Short to avoid the Russian System entirely.
Modern Evaluation
Contemporary theory rates the line as principled and fully playable for Black. Engines hover around 0.00 to +0.20 after 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.0-0, suggesting dynamic equality. In practice the side that understands the resulting pawn structures better often seizes the initiative.