Grunfeld Defense Burille Paris Variation

Grünfeld Defense

Definition

The Grünfeld Defense is a hyper-modern response to 1.d4 in which Black allows White to occupy the center with pawns, intending to undermine and attack that center later with piece play and pawn breaks. The characteristic starting position arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. Its ECO codes range from D70 to D99.

Typical Move Order

1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 d5

From here the game can branch into the Exchange Variation (4.cxd5), the Russian System (4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3), the Fianchetto Variation (4.g3), the Burille (4.Bf4), and many other systems.

Strategic Significance

Hyper-modern philosophy : Black's fianchettoed bishop on g7 exerts long-range pressure on the center rather than occupying it with pawns.
Central counter-strike : The thematic pawn break …c5 (or …e5 in some lines) challenges White’s pawn center.
Dynamic imbalance : White often enjoys a spatial plus, while Black obtains piece activity and pressure on the long diagonal.

Historical Notes

Named after the Austrian grandmaster Ernst Grünfeld, who introduced the opening into top-level play at Vienna 1922 against Alexander Alekhine. Since then it has been employed by champions such as Fischer, Kasparov, and Carlsen.

Illustrative Mini-Game

Alekhine – Grünfeld, Vienna 1922 (abridged):

Did You Know?

The Grünfeld was one of Garry Kasparov’s main weapons against 1.d4. In his 1995 World-Championship match versus Viswanathan Anand, he scored a crucial win in the Exchange Variation that helped him retain his title.

Grünfeld Defense: Burille Variation

Definition

The Burille Variation is an off-beat but fully respectable way for White to fight the Grünfeld, defined by the early bishop deployment 4.Bf4. A common move order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4.

Origin of the Name

It is named after the American master Henry Nelson Burille (1856-1914), who advocated the quiet but flexible development of the bishop to f4.

Strategic Ideas

Early piece pressure : The bishop on f4 eyes the c7-square and supports a possible e2-e4 break.
Circumventing theory : Because most Grünfeld theory centers around 4.cxd5 or 4.Nf3, the Burille can sidestep many well-analysed lines.
Balanced risk : White keeps the option of cxd5 or e3, while Black must decide whether to strike immediately with …c5 or complete development first.

Typical Continuations

4…Bg7 5.e3 O-O 6.Rc1 c5 7.dxc5 Qa5 8.Qd2 dxc4 (positionally double-edged)
4…dxc4 5.e4 c5 6.d5 (White grabs space, Black relies on piece activity)

Example Fragment

Interesting Facts

Although seldom seen at elite level, the Burille has been tried by modern grandmasters such as Peter Svidler and Richard Rapport as a surprise weapon.
Henry Burille himself was a contemporary of Harry Nelson Pillsbury and is better remembered for his theoretical ideas than for tournament results.

Grünfeld Defense: Burille, Paris Variation

Definition

The Paris Variation is a sub-line of the Burille in which White bolsters the center with e3 and keeps options of a later h2-h4 pawn storm. A representative sequence is: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 O-O 6.h4. The early h-pawn advance is the distinctive Paris move.

Why “Paris”?

The name stems from informal analysis sessions held in Paris clubs during the 1970s where the line was explored as an aggressive antidote to classical Grünfeld setups. It gained brief tournament popularity in French events, and the nickname stuck.

Strategic Motifs

Space on the kingside : h4-h5 can cramp Black’s g6-bishop and sometimes prepare a rook lift Rh1-h4-g4.
Flexible center : By delaying cxd5 or e2-e4 White keeps Black guessing which pawn structure will arise.
Black counterplay : Black usually reacts with …c5 or …dxc4, aiming to exploit the tempo spent on h4.

Model Line

(Shows the tactical complexity that can result if both sides play sharply.)

Practical Tips

If you play White, be ready to castle queenside or keep the king in the center—the pawn on h4 makes short-side castling risky.
Black players should know the resource …dxc4 followed by …c5, challenging both White’s center and the b2-pawn.

Anecdote

When the late French grandmaster Gilles Andruet introduced 6.h4 in a Paris-league game, several onlookers laughed at the “coffee-house” advance. He won brilliantly, and the move subsequently appeared in Informator under the new name “Paris Variation.”