Neo-Grünfeld, 6.O-O
Neo-Grünfeld, 6.O-O
Definition
The Neo-Grünfeld is a modern branch of the Grünfeld Defence that begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 d5 5.Bg2 dxc4. After 6.O-O White postpones the immediate recapture on c4, trusting that the pawn can be won back later while using the extra tempo to complete development. The position after 6.O-O is recorded in ECO as D75 (Neo-Grünfeld, 6.O-O).
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1.d4 Nf6
- 2.c4 g6
- 3.Nf3 Bg7
- 4.g3 d5
- 5.Bg2 dxc4
- 6.O-O
From here Black chooses between 6…O-O (main line), 6…c6, or 6…Nb6, each aiming to hold on to the extra pawn and challenge the long-diagonal bishop.
Strategic Ideas
- White gives up a central pawn for a moment but gains time for rapid development. Plans include putting a knight on a3 (or c3) to recapture on c4, playing Qc2 and Rd1 to increase central pressure, and eventually striking with e4 or d5.
- Black tries to consolidate the pawn on c4 with …c6, …Be6, and sometimes …Nb6. If the pawn is returned, Black hopes the simplified position and fluid pawn structure provide easy piece play and Grünfeld-typical dynamic counter-attacks against the centre (…c5 or …e5).
- The fianchettoed bishops on g2 and g7 dominate the long diagonal. Much of the middlegame revolves around who can seize control of the c- and d-files after eventual exchanges.
Historical & Practical Significance
The line was popularised in the 1980s when players such as Viktor Korchnoi and Artur Yusupov sought a solid yet dynamic answer to the ever-topical Grünfeld. It entered World Championship praxis in multiple matches:
- Kramnik – Anand, WCh 2008 (Game 3): Anand held comfortably with an early 6…c6.
- Kasparov – Kramnik, WCh Candidates 1994: Kasparov adopted the White side, recovered the pawn smoothly and pressed in a long endgame.
- Carlsen’s repertoire: The current World Champion has used the 6.O-O move order as White (e.g., Carlsen – Caruana, Shamkir 2014) to avoid heavy Grünfeld theory and steer the game into quieter waters he can outplay his opponent in.
Example Game (annotated mini-line)
The following short PGN fragment shows a main-line tabiya. After 14 moves the position is healthy for both sides, illustrating typical Neo-Grünfeld themes.
[[Pgn| d4 | Nf6 | c4 | g6 | Nf3 | Bg7 | g3 | d5 | Bg2 | dxc4 | O-O | O-O | Na3 | c5 | dxc5 | Qa5 | Bd2 | Qxc5 ]]White has regained the pawn and enjoys pressure on the d-file; Black relies on piece activity and the half-open c- and g-files.
Representative Plans
- If 6…O-O 7.Na3 – White prepares Nxc4; Black may reply 7…c5 8.dxc5 Na6 9.Qa4 Nxc5 with messy equality.
- If 6…c6 – a solid choice avoiding immediate confrontation. Common continuation: 7.a4 O-O 8.Na3 Be6 9.Qc2 Na6 when both sides have flexible pawn structures.
- If 6…Nb6 – Black supports the c4 pawn directly at the cost of piece coordination; White often responds 7.Na3 Be6 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Rd1 targeting d5.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because the pawn remains on d4 until late in the opening, some databases classify 6.O-O games under both the Grünfeld and the King’s Indian, leading to occasional search confusion for historians.
- Grandmaster Gata Kamsky famously called the Neo-Grünfeld “a King’s Indian without the headache,” praising its solid backbone for Black while preserving counter-attacking chances.
- The line appeals to players who dislike memorising the razor-sharp Exchange Grünfeld (7.Bc4) – by choosing 3.Nf3 and 4.g3 White sidelines enormous swathes of theory.
When to Choose 6.O-O
Pick this system if you play 1.d4 with a Catalan-style mindset: long-term pressure, harmonious piece placement, and an eventual centre break. Avoid it if you crave immediate tactical skirmishes — the pawn sacrifice is temporary and the real fight often starts in the middlegame.