Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3

ECO D96

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation is a chess opening line in the Grünfeld Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3.

It is catalogued under code D96 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Qb3 is chosen by White on move 5.

9 named continuations branch from this position, including the Accelerated Variation and the Byrne Variation.

Named variations

• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation — ECO D81
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation — ECO D97
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation — ECO D97
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation — ECO D97
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation — ECO D97
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Szabo Variation — ECO D97
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation — ECO D98
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation — ECO D98
• Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Yugoslav Variation — ECO D99

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Grunfeld Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.