Grunfeld Defense: Russian Hungarian Variation
Grünfeld Defense
Definition
The Grünfeld Defense is a modern, “hyper-modern” opening that begins with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. Instead of occupying the centre with pawns, Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre and then attacks it with pieces and timely pawn breaks (…c5, …e5). The opening is indexed in ECO codes D70–D99.
Typical Move-Order
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5
Strategic Themes
- Hyper-modern centre play: Black invites 4.cxd5 or 4.Nf3 followed by e4, then challenges the pawns later.
- Piece activity over structure: Black’s dark-squared bishop often lands on g7, slicing through the long diagonal.
- Dynamic imbalance: White enjoys space; Black counts on piece play and pawn breaks.
Why It’s Popular
Championed by World Champions from Alekhine and Botvinnik to Kasparov and Carlsen, the Grünfeld is one of the most respected defences to 1.d4. Its reputation for dynamism makes it a favourite in must-win situations.
Illustrative Mini-Game
By move 8, White owns the pawn centre, while Black’s pieces already pressure it from the wings—textbook Grünfeld.
Interesting Facts
- The opening is named after the Austrian GM Ernst Grünfeld, who unveiled it in 1922 (Vienna).
- Garry Kasparov used the Grünfeld as one of his main weapons against Anatoly Karpov in their world-title clashes of the 1980s.
Grünfeld Defense – Russian System (Russian Variation)
Definition
The Russian System arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3. The early queen sortie targets the d5-knight and b7-pawn, often forcing Black to resolve the central tension with …dxc4. ECO codes: D96 (general) and D97–D99 for sub-lines.
Main Line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4
At this point Black chooses between 7…Na6, 7…a6 (the Hungarian
Variation—see below), or 7…c6.
Strategic Ideas
- White keeps a healthy pawn centre (e4-d4-c4) and accelerates development.
- Black relies on rapid piece pressure (…Bg4, …c5 or …e5) and the fianchettoed bishop’s long-range influence.
- The early queen on b3/c4 sometimes becomes a target—Black can gain tempi by chasing it.
Historical Notes
Dubbed the Russian System because it was deeply analysed by Soviet (Russian) grandmasters in the mid-20th century, notably Botvinnik and Smyslov. It featured in the famous game Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1986 (Game 16), where Kasparov unleashed a prepared novelty on move 12 to seize the initiative.
Illustrative PGN
After 9…c5 Black strikes back; both sides have chances.
Did You Know?
- Because the queen moves twice in the opening, engines often give White only a microscopic edge—even though White’s centre looks impressive.
- Many rapid and blitz specialists (e.g., Alexander Grischuk) like the Russian System because it steers play into sharp, concrete lines early.
Grünfeld Defense – Hungarian Variation (within the Russian System)
Definition
The Hungarian Variation is a branch of the Russian System defined by the
move 7…a6 (instead of 7…Na6 or 7…c6):
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4 a6.
It gained popularity through the analyses of Hungarian grandmasters such as
Lajos Portisch and Zoltán Ribli during the 1960s–80s.
Purpose of 7…a6
- Prepares …b5 to hit the White queen and expand on the queenside.
- Vacates the a7-square for the queen (…Qa7) in some lines, doubling down on d4/e4 pressure.
- Sometimes enables a later …c5 with extra support from b6 or b5.
Critical Continuation
8.Be2 b5 9.Qb3 c5
Black immediately challenges the centre; if White plays 10.dxc5, Black recaptures
with the bishop and enjoys piece activity.
Strategic Nuances
- Pawn Structure: The …a6/…b5 lever can leave holes on a6 and c6, but in return Black gains time on the queen.
- Piece Play: Black’s light-squared bishop often emerges via g7-d4 or g7-b2 after …b5-b4.
- Move-Order Traps: If White gets careless and retreats the queen to an awkward square, Black’s …c5 break can equalise instantly.
Example Game
[[Pgn|Portisch,L|Kortchnoi,V|Candidates|1977| 1.d4|Nf6|2.c4|g6|3.Nc3|d5|4.Nf3|Bg7|5.Qb3|dxc4|6.Qxc4|0-0|7.e4|a6|8.Be2|b5|9.Qb3|c5|10.dxc5|Bb7|11.O-O|Nxe4|12.Nxe4|Bxe4|13.Rd1|Qc8|14.Be3|Nc6|15.Ng5|Bf5|0-1]]Kortchnoi’s energetic piece play demonstrated the practical sting of 7…a6.
Trivia
- The Hungarian Variation is sometimes called Portisch’s Line in honour of GM Lajos Portisch’s refinements.
- Modern engines show the position after 8.Be2 b5 9.Qb3 c5 as roughly equal, underscoring the line’s solidity for Black.