Theoria
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Grünfeld Defense

Russian Variation, Prins Variation

D97positionaltactical

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3d5
  4. 4.Nf3Bg7
  5. 5.Qb3dxc4
  6. 6.Qxc4O-O
  7. 7.e4Na6
70 games40%54%

A Grünfeld Russian Variation line in which Black answers 7. e4 with 7...Na6, a knight move Kasparov used in title matches against Karpov.

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About the Prins Variation

The Prins Variation meets 7. e4 with 7...Na6. The idea comes from Lodewijk Prins, and Garry Kasparov adopted it in several World Championship matches against Anatoly Karpov. The knight leaves the c-pawn free for an early ...c5 strike against d4 and can jump to b4. White most often continues 8. Be2, with 8. e5 a less common, more direct option. The engine gives White a slight edge, although Black has scored well in a small sample of online games.

Popular continuations