Theoria
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Scandinavian Defense

Grünfeld Variation

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  1. 1.e4d5
  2. 2.exd5Qxd5
  3. 3.Nc3Qa5
  4. 4.d4Nf6
  5. 5.Nf3Bf5
  6. 6.Ne5c6
  7. 7.g4
140 games54%41%

A rare, sharp Scandinavian sideline in which White meets the 3...Qa5 setup with 6. Ne5 and 7. g4, using the g-pawn to chase Black's f5-bishop.

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About the Grünfeld Variation

The Grünfeld Variation is a sharp sideline of the 3...Qa5 Scandinavian. After 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Ne5 c6, White plays 7. g4 to drive back the f5-bishop and gain kingside space, at the cost of loosening the king's cover. Black usually retreats with 7...Bg6 or 7...Be4. The engine favors 7...Be6, which has also scored well for Black in a small sample. The engine assessment is roughly balanced, and the line is rarely seen.

Popular continuations