Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4 Nc6

ECO D97

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne 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 dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4 Nc6.

It is catalogued under code D97 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc6 is chosen by Black on move 7.

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.