Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation

Indian Defense: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation

Definition

The Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation is an early deviation against Black’s Indian set-ups that begins with the moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Bg5. By pinning the knight on f6 before committing the queen’s knight to c3, White sidesteps the main lines of the Grünfeld Defence (which require Nc3 followed by …d5) and also limits Black’s flexible King’s Indian structures. The line is named after the fourth World Champion Alexander Alekhine, who employed the idea as early as the 1930s.

Typical Move Order

The move-order flexibility is one of the system’s main selling points:

• 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Bg5 (main order)
• 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Bg5 (avoids certain Benko gambit attempts)

After 4. Bg5 Black’s most common replies are:

1. 4…Ne4 – immediately asking the bishop to decide;
2. 4…d6 – entering King’s Indian–style positions with the knight still pinned;
3. 4…c5 – aiming for Benoni structures;
4. 4…O-O or 4…d5 – permitting a later …d5 when circumstances improve.

Strategic Ideas

White’s goals:

• Prevent or at least delay …d5, the typical Grünfeld counter-strike.
• Induce concessions with the pin (…h6, …f6, or …Nxg5) that weaken Black’s kingside dark squares.
• Maintain a broad, healthy center by flexibly choosing between e2–e3, Nc3, or even d5 depending on Black’s set-up.

Black’s counter-play revolves around:

• Breaking the pin with …h6 and …g5 or …Ne4 followed by …Nxg5.
• Timely central counter-thrusts …c5 and …d5.
• Exploiting the fact that the bishop on g5 can sometimes become a target after the knight moves.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

Alekhine’s use of 4. Bg5 in several 1936 exhibitions laid the foundation for what was later codified as ECO code E60 (Indian Defence: Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation). The line rose in popularity during the 1970s when players such as Lev Polugaevsky and Boris Spassky experimented with it to dodge heavily analysed Grünfeld main lines.

In modern times, elite grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian employ the variation as a practical surprise weapon. Its reputation is theoretically healthy: computer engines evaluate the positions around equality, but the onus is often on Black to choose the correct counter-plan without falling into passive positions.

Illustrative Example

The following miniature shows a thematic punishment of premature central play by Black:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nf3|Bg7|Bg5|Ne4|Bh4|c5|Qc2|d5|cxd5|Qxd5|Nc3|Nxc3|bxc3|cxd4|cxd4|Nc6|e3|O-O|Be2]]

After 23 moves White enjoyed the bishop pair, central majority and safer king, illustrating the latent positional venom of the Alekhine Variation.

Typical Plans and Motifs

• Queenside Expansion: a2–a3, b2–b4 clamp on …c5.
• e2–e4 Break: often prepared with Re1 and d4–d5 to seize the center.
• Dark-Square Grip: if Black plays …h6 Bg5-h4 g5, the squares f5, h5 and the diagonals a2–g8 or h2–b8 can become chronically weak.
• Piece Pressure: doubling rooks on the c-file after cxd5 liberates c4 for a rook lift.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Alexander Alekhine reputedly devised 4. Bg5 during a transatlantic voyage, seeking new battlegrounds against the hypermodern Grünfeld Defence.
• In the 2013 Norway Chess tournament, Magnus Carlsen used the line against Teimour Radjabov and obtained a solid edge within fifteen moves, prompting commentators to dub it “Magnus’ pet anti-Grünfeld.”
• The variation often avoids massive theoretical debates, making it a favourite of players who prefer understanding and middlegame skills over memorisation.
• The French GM Etienne Bacrot has scored an impressive performance percentage of over 70 % with the system.

When to Choose the Alekhine Variation

Opt for 4. Bg5 if you:

• Want to keep the game in strategic rather than forcing channels.
• Are comfortable with flexible pawn structures resembling the King’s Indian or Benoni but with the sting taken out of Black’s counter-play.
• Enjoy steering Grünfeld specialists into slightly unfamiliar territory early on.

In short, the Anti-Grünfeld, Alekhine Variation is a sound, practical weapon that combines positional pressure with move-order subtleties—an ideal choice for players who relish dictating the character of the game from the very first skirmish.