Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Grünfeld Defense

Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation

D95positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3d5
  4. 4.Nf3Bg7
  5. 5.e3O-O
  6. 6.Qb3
501 games48%47%

Grünfeld line where White adds 6. Qb3 to the restrained e3 setup, pressing on d5 and b7; a balanced position with several solid Black replies.

Train it in Theoria

About the Vienna Variation

The Vienna Variation, 6. Qb3, brings the queen to bear on d5 and b7 from within the restrained e3 setup, which keeps the dark-squared bishop behind the pawn chain. Black most often releases the central tension with 6...dxc4. The second choice, 6...c6, shores up d5. The third, 6...e6, is the Botvinnik Variation, and Black has scored well with it. The engine rates the position as balanced, and Lichess results are close to even.

Popular continuations