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Grünfeld Defense

Zaitsev Gambit

D80offbeataggressive

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4g6
  3. 3.Nc3d5
  4. 4.h4
274 games52%42%

Grünfeld Defense sideline in which White meets 3...d5 with the flank thrust 4. h4, a rare and aggressive try against Black's kingside fianchetto.

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About the Zaitsev Gambit

The Zaitsev Gambit is an offbeat answer to the Grünfeld Defense. White meets 3...d5 with 4. h4, preparing h5 to disrupt the fianchetto before Black castles. The usual reply is 4...Bg7. The second most common, 4...h5, stops the pawn at the cost of loosening g5. Taking with 4...dxc4 is rarer and has scored poorly for Black. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced and also suggests 4...c5 and 4...c6.

Popular continuations