Classical Variation

The Classical Variation reaches the Neo-Grünfeld through a Nf3 move order. White completes the kingside fianchetto and castles before advancing the c-pawn, and Black meets the fianchetto with an early ...d5. Only with 6. c4 does the game take on Grünfeld character, as White challenges d5 with both kings already safe. Because Black has committed to ...d5 and White has kept the queen's knight at home, the position is quieter than the main Grünfeld, and the engine judges it roughly balanced.

Black's most common reply is 6...c6, the Original Defense, which supports d5 in Slav fashion. The same position also arises from a 2. c4 order with 5...c6 and 6...d5. The Modern Defense, 6...dxc4, gives up the center pawn for piece play while White works to recover c4. With 6...c5 Black hits d4 at once, and this is Black's best-scoring choice in practice. The Polgar Variation, 6...Nc6, develops the knight against d4 before the c-pawn moves. Across these lines White scores somewhat better overall.