Theoria
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Grünfeld Defense

Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation

D81positional

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3d5
  4. 4.Qb3
429 games47%46%

Grünfeld Defense line in which White plays 4. Qb3 at once, skipping Nf3 to press d5 early; a balanced, lightly explored version of the Russian System.

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About the Accelerated Variation

The Accelerated Variation, also called the Accelerated Russian System, brings the queen to b3 on move four, omitting Nf3 so that d5 comes under pressure before Black has played ...Bg7. The usual answer is 4...dxc4, gaining a tempo against the queen. 4...c6 instead supports d5, while 4...Bg7 is rarely chosen. Lichess results are almost even, and the engine considers the position balanced.

Popular continuations