4.e3 Nimzo-Indian Defense (Rubenstein System)

Mastering the Rubinstein System
 A Deep Dive into the
 4.e3 Nimzo-Indian Defense

 The 4.e3 line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense is known as the Rubinstein System.
This variation is characterized by the moves

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3.

 It is named after the Polish Grandmaster Akiba Rubinstein and is one of the most solid and classical ways for White to handle the Nimzo-Indian Defense.

Key Features of the Rubinstein System

1. Solid Structure: By playing 4.e3, White aims to build a solid pawn structure and prepare for the development of the bishop to d3. This move supports the center and prepares for the eventual development of the knight to f3.
2. Flexibility: The Rubinstein System allows White to maintain flexibility in the pawn structure and piece placement. White can choose to castle kingside and develop the pieces harmoniously.
3. Avoiding Immediate Complications: Unlike more aggressive lines such as the Samisch Variation (4.a3), the Rubinstein System avoids immediate tactical complications and focuses on solid development.

Typical Plans for White

• Development: White typically follows up with moves like Nf3, Bd3, and O-O, aiming for a solid and harmonious development.
• Central Control: White often looks to play for d4-d5 at an appropriate moment to gain space and open the center.
• Piece Coordination: White aims to coordinate the pieces effectively, often placing the rooks on c1 and d1 to support central and queenside operations.

Typical Plans for Black

• Pressure on the Center: Black often aims to put pressure on White's center with moves like ...d5 or ...c5.
• Piece Activity: Black can develop the pieces actively, often placing the knight on c6 and the bishop on b7 after playing ...b6.
• Counterplay: Black seeks counterplay on the queenside or in the center, depending on White's setup.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages for White:

• Solid and flexible pawn structure.
• Avoids immediate tactical complications.
• Good for players who prefer a strategic and positional game.

Disadvantages for White:

• Can be somewhat passive if not handled correctly.
• Black has various ways to counter and equalize.

The Rubinstein System is a reliable and solid choice for White against the Nimzo-Indian Defense, offering a good balance between solidity and flexibility.

 Nimzo-Indian Defence Wikipedia Page

E40 Nimzo-Indian,   4.e3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3

E41-E42 Nimzo-Indian,  4.e3 c5
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5

E43-E44 Nimzo-Indian, Fischer variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6

E45 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Bronstein (Byrne) variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Nge2 Ba6

E46-E48 Nimzo-Indian,  4.e3 O-O
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O

E49 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Botvinnik system
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3

E50-E51 Nimzo-Indian,  4.e3 e8g8
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3

E52-E59 Nimzo-Indian,  4.e3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd3 b6

Bishop's Bounty Nimzo-Indian Main Page

 

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4.e3 - Nimzo Indian Defense Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the 4.e3 Nimzo.

• Nimzo Indian Defense - 4.e3 Chess Opening Tutorial  - Mark Weeks - Guide to the 4.e3 Nimzo - Shows 9 Different Lines 
  
  
• Nimzo-Indian Defense: Play, Attack, and Counter as White & Black - Chessable Blog Guide (Several Sections of the guide on the 4.e3 Nimzo )

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4.e3 - Nimzo Indian Defense LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Rubinstein Variation in the Nimzo - 10 Chapter Study - Focuses on the popular 4.e3 Nc6 5. Nf3 line. 5 Games Analyzed
  
  
• Nimzo-Indian Defense  -  39 Chapter Study ( CH 11-16  are the Main Line 4.e3 )
  

New to LiChess Studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move. You can test your understanding, solidify your learning, and deepen your knowledge of the 4.e3 Nimzo Indian Defense.

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4.e3 - Nimzo Indian Defense Puzzles

Test your tactical skills with puzzles specifically designed for the Halasz Gambit.

 

WTHarvey.com (Puzzle Site)

Nimzo-Indian 4.e3 c5 (ECO E41) -  14 Puzzles
Nimzo-Indian, Fischer Variation (ECO E43) - 10 Puzzles

 

LiChess Openings Puzzles 
  (Shows all the Game Moves up to The tactic as well) 

Nimzo- Indian  Normal Line -    158 Puzzles
Nimzo -Indian Normal Variation -  469 Puzzles
Nimzo- Indian St. Petersburg Variation -  60 Puzzles
Nimzo-Indian Hubner Variation -  107 Puzzles
Nimzo-Indian Reshevsky Variation - 45 Puzzles

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Games Databases & Collections

Analyze real-life games featuring the 4.e3 Nimzo and see how it's played in practice.

 

Chessgames.com
Nimzo-Indian, Rubinstein Variation - 140 games ( Game Collection )

 

365Chess.com
Nimzo-Indian Page  - Links to all the Nimzo Variations (lots)

 

Chesstempo.com
Nimzo-Indian Defense, Normal Line (E40) - 1980 Games

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4.e3 - Nimzo Indian Defense Video Lessons

Nimzo-Indian Defense  - 13 Video Playlist  - Chess geek  (Videos 2,3,4,7 are 4.e3 Nimzo-Indian)

Main Line of the Nimzo-Indian Defense - 27 Min - Hanging pawns - The main line of this popular defense starts after white plays e4 on move 4. This is the most solid of all options white has against the Nimzo. Unlike all the other moves he can play, e3 prepares to simply develop and castle.

ChessGeek - Nimzo Masterclass

• 4.e3 5.Bd3 - Rubinstein System (Nimzo-Indian Defense Masterclass) - 15 Min
• 4.e3 5.Nge2 - Rubinstein System (Nimzo-Indian Defense Masterclass) - 19 min
• 4.e3 5.a3 - Rubinstein System (Nimzo-Indian Defense Masterclass) - 15 min

Day 05: Improve your openings with IM Sagar Shah | Nimzo Indian 4.e3 1.5 hr - Chessbase India - IM Sagar Shah speaks about the e3 system Rubinstein system in the Nimzo Indian.

Nimzo-Indian Mainline with 4.e3 | Understanding Your Openings #6 - 27 Min - IM Andras Toth  -  Video Below- In depth look at the main line of the Nimzo-Indian defense, resulting in various topical pawn structures, opening lines and top GM sample games.

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Game Videos w/Analysis

Nimzo-Indian Defence: Rubinstein System 4.e3 -  85 Video playlist - kingscrusher 

Chess School

• Nimzo Indian Rubinstein Variation - Correspondence game played in 1948 - 4 Min
• Nimzo Indian Defense: Rubinstein Variation - Miniature - Reshevsky - 2 Min
• Nimzo Indian Defense, Fischer Variation: Uhlmann vs Botvinik - Munich 1958 - 7 Min

Chess postmortem #24: Nimzo-Indian defense - Rubinstein variation - 32 Min - Jim's Chess Channel -  Recent over the board game.

IM Sielecki

• Blitz Chess #3557 vs maradona Nimzo Indian Rubinstein Black - 8 Min   
• Blitz Chess #4252 vs GM Theindepentant Nimzo Indian Rubinstein White - 7 Min  
• Blitz Chess #3340 vs ADELMO Nimzo Indian Rubinstein White - 13 Min 
• Blitz Chess #3368 vs IM Checharov Nimzo Indian Rubinstein White - 13 Min  
• Blitz Chess #3375 vs Kickass Nimzo Indian Rubinstein Black - 10 Min  

QGD - Chigorin Defense D07 - Opening Theory

QGD - Chigorin Defense Chess Resources

Chigorin Defense Wikipedia Page

The Chigorin Defense is a chess opening named for 19th-century Russian master Mikhail Chigorin. An uncommonly played defense to the Queen's Gambit, it begins with the following moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 Nc6

The Chigorin Defense is a solid but slightly offbeat choice for Black, as it allows White to gain a slight space advantage in the center of the board. Black's idea is to undermine White's center with counterattacks on the queenside, often by advancing the a-pawn and placing pressure on the b2-pawn. Black also has the option of playing for an eventual ...e5 break to challenge White's pawn center.

One of the main drawbacks of the Chigorin Defense is that it can lead to somewhat passive positions for Black, as the c4-pawn exchange weakens the d5-pawn and makes it difficult for Black to mount an attack on the kingside. However, experienced players can use the Chigorin Defense to good effect by seeking counter-play and attacking chances on the queenside.

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BOOKS (Free)

Short & Sweet: Chigorin Defense - FREE Chessable Course - 23 trainable Lines w/ 45 min Video
MoveTrainer® Opening course by GM Sahaj Grover & by GM Abhijeet Gupta

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Chigorin Defense Chess Articles

Kill the Chigorin Defense With the Queen’s Gambit… Kasparov Style! - ichess Article w/ embedded Video
Chigorin Defense: Complete Guide for Black - chesstier Article 

BLOGS

Chigorin Defense: Active Play in the Queen’s Gambit Declined - Chessable Blog Guide (Nice In-Depth Guide)
Chess Opening Basics: The Chigorin Defense  - Another Chessable Blog Guide

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Chigorin Defense LiChess Studies

Chigorin defense repertoire  - 6 Chapter Study
D07 Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense - 10 Chapter Study
Chigorin Defense - 9 Chapter Study

The Queen's Gambit (Grandmaster Guide) - 64 Chapter Study (Chigorin Ch 43-49)

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Chigorin Defense PUZZLES

Chigorin Defense Puzzles - 1690 Puzzles  (Lichess Puzzles By Opening)

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GAMES Databases

Chessgames.com

The Chigorin Defense According To Morozevich - 54 Games
Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense (D07)  - 4 Annotated Games

365Chess.com

D07: Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin defence - 5871 Games

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Chigorin Defense Video Lessons

The Chigorin Defence full repertoire - 16 Video playlist - Endgame Strategy's
Chigorin Defense Theory  - 5 Video playlist - Hanging Pawns

Chigorin teaches 🤓 you the Chigorin with GM Damián Lemos [Lemos Deep Dive] - 22 Min
Crush 1.d4 with the Chigorin Defense! 🛡 with IM Valeri Lilov - 44 Min
Chigorin Defense with IM Milovan Ratkovic - 22 Min
How to play the Chigorin Defense - 22 Min - OfferSpill Chess Club

ST.Louis Chess Club
Ch-Ch-Ch Chigorin Defense!🎵: Part 1 | Chess Openings Explained - 40 min
Ch-Ch-Ch Chigorin Defense!🎵: Part 2 | Chess Openings Explained - 24 Min

Ben Finegold
Chigorin Defense Middlegames - GM Ben Finegold - 2015.10.13 - 47 Min
Queen's Gambit Part 3: Albin-Counter, Baltic & Chigorin - 45 Min - GM Ben Finegold
15+ Years of Chigorin Games of Ben Finegold - 1991-2006 - 2 hr - GM Ben Finegold

Play Against The Chigorin
The Simple Solution to the Chigorin Defense | Chess Opening Blueprint - 13 Min  Jonathan Schrantz
DESTROY the Chigorin Defense EASILY With the Queen's Gambit! - 36 Min - GM Damian Lemos
The Simple Solution to the Chigorin Defense | Chess Opening Blueprint - 13 Min - Johnathan Schrantz
Destroy the Chigorin Defense! - Queen's Gambit Declined Theory - Chigorin Defense Ideas And Plans - 20 Min

Refute Chigorin Defense like Carlsen and Firouzja!! - 25 Min - IM Modrag Perunovic

Chigorin Traps
Chess Trap 10 (Chigorin Defense) - 10 Min
Chess Trap 22 (2018 Chigorin Trap) - 8 Min

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Chigorin Game Videos (w/ Analysis)

Longer Chess Games #58 The Chigorin Opening - 59 min - GM Simon Williams
Chigorin Crushes! - 16 Min - GM Ben Finegold  (Two games)

GM Danial Naroditsky
Master Class | QGD Chigorin & Baltic Defense | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 44 Min
Chigorin Defense; QGD | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naro - 18 min

Chess School
Chigorin played the Chigorin defence | Steinitz - Chigorin World Championship Match 1889, round 10 - 7 Min - Chess School
Chigorin Defense: Brucker vs Lanni Atlanta 1980 - 5 Min - Chess School
Unleash The Chigorin Defence  - 5 Min - Chess School
Magnus Carlsen lost to Chigorin defence - 5 Min - Chess School

QGD - Tartakower Defense - D58- D59 Opening Theory

 This is one of the most topical and famous positions in the Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), 7...b6 introduces the Tartakower Variation.

Black is aiming to fianchetto his bishop to b7 and to finish his development by placing the knight on d7.

Tartakower Defense Chess Articles

Tartakower Defense - Wiki Page with  General Explanation of Defense

Queen's Gambit Declined (Orthodox/Tartakower Variation): Light Square Letdown? - Old Blog post Talking about the Middlegame of this Opening.

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Tartakower Defense LiChess Studies

QGD Tartakower: Anti Tartakower Variation - 1 Chapter Study

Queen's Gambit Declined Tartakower - 13 Chapter Interactive Study 

QGD- Tartakower Defense - 7 Chapter Study  (Study Created from St.Louis CC Video At Bottom (Don't be Sweet)

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Games Databases

 

365chess.com

D58: Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower (Makagonov-Bondarevsky) system 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 - 7000 Games

D59: Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower variation 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Rc1 Be6 - 350 games

Efim Geller - Tartakower Defense (Black) - 60 games
Alexander G Beliavsky - Tartakower Defense (Black) - 70 Games 
Lajos Portisch - Tartakower Defense (White)  - 25 games

ChessTempo.com

Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower Defense, General (D58) - 5500 games

Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower Defense, Makogonov Exchange Variation (D59) - 1500 games

Chessgames.com

D58 QGD: Tartakower / General [Black] - 44 games (Curated Collection)
d4 : QGD : Tartakower Variation - 26 Games (Curated Collection)

Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower (Makagonov-Bondarevsky) Syst (D58) - 2700 games
Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower (D59)  - 656 Games

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Tartakower Defense Puzzles (Tactics)

LiChess Tartakower Defense Puzzles - 131 Puzzles

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Tartakower Defense Video Lessons

Tartakower Defense for club players  - 60 Min - IM Matt Bobula
Tartakower Defense in practice - 32 Min - IM Matt Bobula

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧❜𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝟎𝟏 | 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐧𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡 - 22 Min - GM Sam Shankland

Don't Be Sweet: Play the Tartakower! | Chess Openings Explained - 60 Min - St.Louis Chess Club

Tartakower Defense Opening Theory - 33 Min - Hanging pawns

Queens Gambit Declined Part 3 Tartakower Variation - 22 Min - Robert Plunketts Lab
Queens Gambit Declined Tartakower, To play h6 or not to play - 9 Min - Robert Plunketts Lab

Guide To Making Plans In Chess - Queen's Gambit Declined Plans (PART 1) - 26 Min - NM Nelson Lopez

Tartakower Defense Game Videos ( w/ Analysis)

Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower variation - Standard chess #26 - 49 Min - Chess Network

Beating the Queen's Gambit in the British Chess Championship (1998), with GM Nigel Short - 54 Min

QGD - Semi-Tarrasch Defense - D40-42 - Opening Theory

 

Semi-Tarrasch Defense Resources

Semi-Tarrasch Defense Wikipedia Page

The Semi-Tarrasch Defense is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined ,
 characterized by the following moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Nf3 c5 

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Books and Courses (Free)

Short & Sweet: Dominguez's Semi-Tarrasch - FREE Chessable Course - 20 Trainable Lines - GM Leinier Dominguez (2 hr Free Video)

Short & Sweet: Ganguly's Semi-Tarrasch - FREE Chessable Course - 33 Trainable Lines - GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly  (44 Min Free Video)

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Semi-Tarrasch Chess Articles

The Semi-Tarrasch – How to Play, Attack and Counter (as White & Black) - Chessable Blog Article - Very Extensive

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Semi-Tarrasch Defense LiChess Studies

QGD Semi-Tarrasch -  9 Chapter Study

A Semi-Trash Repertoire for the Black pieces - 4 Chapter Study

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Game Databases

 

365Chess.com

D40: Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch defence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 - 5800 Games
D41: Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 5.cd 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. cxd5 - 4200 games
D42: Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 7.Bd3 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 Nc6 7. Bd3 - 735 Games

Chessgames.com

Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch (D40) 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c5 - 1000 Games
Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch (D41) 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c5 5 cxd5 - 1500 Games
Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 7.Bd3 (D42) 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e3 Nc6 7 Bd3 - 540 games
Semi-Tarrasch - 17 Game Collection (Famous Players Games)

ChessTempo.com

Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch Defense (D40) - 2300 Games

Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Exchange Variation (D41) - 2400 games

Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line (D42) - 830 Games

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Semi-Tarrasch Puzzles (Tactics)

QGD- Semi-Tarrasch Puzzles - 1000 Puzzles ( LiChess Puzzles by Openings )

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Semi-Tarrasch Defense Video Lessons

Semi-Tarrasch Defense Theory - 13 Video Playlist -  3+Hrs Video - Jazarov's Chess Channel

Powerful ideas for Black against 1.d4 ft. GM Surya Ganguly - 81 min - Chessbase India

The Semi-Tarrasch Opening explained by Leinier Domínguez - 2 HR - GM Leinier Dominguez (Great FREE Lesson) 

Video Below - Really Nice Lesson

Semi-Tarrasch Exchange Variation (D41)

QGD Semi Tarrasch, Exchange Variation D41 - 16 Min - Advancing Pawn

Master Game Analysis - QGD Semi Tarrasch, Exchange Variation - 1 - 30 Min - Advancing Pawn
Master Game Analysis - QGD Semi Tarrasch, Exchange Variation - 2 - 30 Min - Advancing Pawn

Semi-Tarrasch Chess Traps

Queens Gambit Semi Tarrasch - The Crash in the Semi Tarrasch - 4 Min

Queen's Gambit Semi Tarrasch - The Yudovich Not So Fine Trap - 3 Min

Stunning Opening Trap Queen Sacrifice | Semi Tarrasch | - 2 Min

Semi-Tarrasch Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Semi-Tarrasch - 6 Video Playlist - Chessbase India

John Bartholomew
Blitz Chess #301: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Kassa Korley (Semi-Tarrasch Defense) - 16 Min
Blitz Chess #5: IM Bartholomew vs. ercoleiaccone (Semi-Tarrasch Defense) - 14 Min 

Bird's Opening Page Update

Bishops Bounty Bird's Opening Page 

Added  New Free Chessable Course ( 480 Line Course ) The Classical Bird for Club Players

Added  GM Eric Hansen Bird Speedrun - 12 Videos (400- 2600) 9 Hours Worth

Added Link to New From's Gambit Page 

Chess Prophylaxis: Preventive Strategies

Stop Your Opponent Before They Start
 Master Chess Prophylaxis

Feeling overwhelmed by your opponent's threats?
 Wish there was a way to shut down their plans before they even get off the ground?

 This guide introduces you to Chess Prophylaxis, a powerful strategy used by top players to think ahead and make moves that prevent your opponent from attacking or gaining an advantage.

  Learn from articles, puzzles, and video lessons by Chess Masters, and discover how to control the flow of the game with proactive thinking. Take your chess to the next level and become a master of prevention!

The term prophylaxis comes from the Greek προφύλαξις, profýlaxis, "guarding or preventing beforehand".

Chess Prophylaxis Wikipedia Page - Just a General Description

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Prophylaxis Chess Articles

• The Art of Prophylaxis in Chess - Nice Chessable Blog Article - w/Embedded Johan Hellston Video - Examples of Opening, Middlegame and Endgame Prophylaxis w/ Model game.
  
  
• Prophylaxis – Learn from Anatoly Karpov - Nice article w/example games - GM Swapnil Dhopade Blog on LiChess
  
  
• Prophylaxis - Chessworld Article by WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos - How it works w/ 3 Detailed games.

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Prophylaxis LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the concepts.

• PROPHYLAXIS - 11 Chapter study (120 Hearts) - Examples in the Opening, Middlegame and Endgame.
  
  
• Endgame Tactics Prophylaxis - 24 Chapter Study (Use the Computer to solve Positions)
  
  
• Prophylaxis - 10 Chapter Interactive Study (Looking at Opening, Middle game and Endgame Examples)

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Chess Prophylaxis Video Lessons

IM Andrey Ostrovskiy

• Improve your Chess with Prophylaxis | Part 1 | Prophylactic Thinking | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 18 Min - Dive into the topic of prophylaxis. Prophylactic thinking in chess
• Improve your Chess with Prophylaxis | Part 2 | Prophylactic Thinking | - 17 Min -  This time we draw our attention to the importance of the active prophylaxis.
• Improve your Chess with Prophylaxis | Part 3 | Prophylactic Thinking | - 15 min - Will focus on how prophylactic thinking helps to reduce your opponent’s resources and at the same time increases your advantage.

GM Sune Berg Hansen.

• Prophylaxis in Chess - The Prevention Strategy - A GM Tool - 21 min - GM Talks - Sune gets to play a nice prophylactic game in the Swedish League against a strong IM. Nice Carlsbad Pawn Structure Lesson as well.
• The Hidden Art of Prophylaxis: Transform Your Game With This Strong Chess Tool - 22 min - GM Talks - The various prophylactic moves are explained in depth in this video from the highest level. Nepomniachtchi, Ian vs. Ding, Liren
• Use Prophylaxis As Your Weapon Of Dark Empathy To Destroy Your Opponents - 20 min - GM Talks - Another World Championship Game.
• Magnus Carlsen dominated Hikaru Nakamura with a strong concept: Prophylactic Thinking! - 20 Min -GM Talks -  This is a small masterpiece and very instructive.

St.Louis Chess Club

• Prophylaxis and Dynamics | Grandmaster's Choice - GM JJ Ali Marandi - 56 min - Prophylaxis is the prevention of your opponent's ideas. See JJ's own games that demonstrate prophylaxis.
• Prophylaxis: Chess Prevention | Strategy Session - WGM Sabina Foisor - 53 min -  Shows examples of prophylaxis, which like medicine, is preventive care in chess. See moves that stop an opponent from following through with a plan.
• Chess Prophylaxis | Strategy Session with Jonathan Schrantz - 26 Min - Prophylactic moves preventing the opponent from taking action somewhere on the board w/ 4 Example Games.

Grand Master RB Ramesh - Learn Chess the right way! - Prophylactic thinking and Prophylaxis - 2hr 7 Min - Live Stream with one of the top Chess Coaches in the World.

Understanding Prophylaxis - Play Like a Master! - IM Valeri Lilov - 60 Min

Defense Mastery with IM Mat Kolosowski - Chapter 1 Prophylaxis - 26 Min

How to Think in Chess: 🤔 Prophylactic Thinking with GM Artur Yusupov & GM Jan Gustafsson - 24 min - Takes two excellent games of GM Sergey Dolmatov to explain the details behind the way of thinking that will catapult your chess knowledge.

Prophylaxis against Pawn Levers - Strategic Planning | Chess Middlegame | GM Alex Lenderman - 20 Min

Live Stream: Chess Prophylaxis - Chess Strategy with IM Valeri Lilov - 23 Min - , IM Valeri Lilov will teach you how to think prophylactically. Ask yourself every move "what does my opponent want to do?” is only the first step. Next, you need the ability to find a good move that prevents the opponent from carrying out that plan!

Chess Strategy: Prophylaxis - 12 Min - Chess website

Destroy Your Opponents With the Magic of Chess Prophylaxis - 7 Min

Chess Lesson # 82: Prophylaxis - 15 Min - NM Rober Ramirez - We are going to start with a few positions to make sure you understand prophylaxis in its simplest form and then we are going to analyze one of Capablanca’s games where he took this idea to a whole new level.

Chess Strategy: Prophylactic Thinking - 17 Min - Remote Chess Academy - Manuel Ocantos will show you some examples of prophylactic moves in the chess openings Benoni Defense and the Ruy Lopez. He also shows you a couple of interesting games played by Karpov, Kasparov, and Nimzowitsch.

Pro Chess Training - GM Surya Ganguly explains Importance of Prophylaxis - 26 Min

Svitlana's Smart Moves - The prophylactic moves - 50 min - ChessBase - Svitlana shows us the smartest moves in difficult situations, and explains how to approach a rough position like this.

Chess Stream #108 A Lesson in Prophylaxis - 91 Min - GM Simon Williams - A lesson from a stream with Bjorn (about 1700 ELO) in 'prophylaxis'. Prophylactic moves are aimed at not just improving one's position but preventing the opponent from improving their own.

GM Alex Lenderman: Prophylactic Thinking | U.S. Chess School - 41 Min - intro to Prophylactic Thinking and 10 Examples.

Online Chess Survival! : Prophylaxis as a way of surviving on the chess board as long as possible! - 15 min - kingscrusher

Instructive Prophylaxis discussion! King Safety moves such as Kh1 and Kb1-a1 - 14 min -kingscrusher

Back to our favorite theme, prophylaxis - 12 Min - GM Irina Krush

CTCA Advanced - Prophylactic Thinking - 88 Mins - Cape Town Chess Academy - Recording of CTCA Advanced session presented by Dione Goredema. 17/6/2021

Grunfeld Defense (D80-D99) Opening Theory

The Grunfeld Defense:
 Dynamic Play from the Start!

Tired of dull chess openings?

The Grunfeld Defense injects excitement into your games!

Black strikes back immediately! Unlike some passive openings, the Grunfeld Defense allows Black to fight for the center from the get-go. This creates an open and dynamic battlefield, perfect for players who love tactical battles and strategic maneuvering.

This curated list equips you to:

• Master the Grunfeld's core ideas:
  Learn key variations and strategic concepts to navigate the Grunfeld's complexities.
• Sharpen your tactics:
  The Grunfeld is a tactical minefield, and this guide provides resources to hone your tactical skills.
• Dominate the chessboard:
  Unleash the Grunfeld's full potential and surprise your opponents with this aggressive opening!

Is the Grunfeld Defense right for you? If you're a player who enjoys sharp positions and tactical battles, then the Grunfeld Defense is a great opening to explore!

Grunfeld Wikipedia Page

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5.

Grunfeld Defense

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Books & Courses (Free)

Fantastic free resources available online to delve into the Grunfeld Defense!

FREE Chessable Courses

• Short & Sweet: Grünfeld Defense - 55 Trainable Lines w/ 3+hr Video - GM Peter Svidler
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Grünfeld Defense - 10 Trainable Lines w/ 48 Min Video - IM Alex Astaneh
  
  
• Short & Sweet: The Hybrid Grünfeld-Slav - 11 Trainable Lines w/ 39 Min Video - FM Christoph Kuberczyk
  
  
• Short & Sweet: The Harry Attack - 12 Trainable Lines w/59 min Video (Beat the Gruenfeld) GM Simon Williams

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Grunfeld Chess Articles

Opening Guides

Grunfeld Defense – The Definitive Guide To A Dynamic Chess Opening - ichess Opening Guide (Indepth w/ embedded Video) Step by step Instruction, Most Important Variations (Archived Article)

Grunfeld Defense – How to Play (as White & Black) - Chessable Blog Opening Guide (In-Depth) Idea & Strategies with most of the Variations Covered with a bit of History.

How To Play The Grunfeld Defense: For The Attacking Player - Hercules Chess
Grünfeld Defense - Opening Guide - IM Alberto Chueca - Nice Guide with Opening Variations, Example games, Talk about Pawn Structures  and a few Embedded Videos.

Variation Articles

Grunfeld Defense: Exchange Variation Classical Bc4 Analysis. - ichess Article (Archived) 
 
A Lazy Counter To The Grunfeld - Lichess Blog Article - GM Max Illingworth - See how to stop Black employing his usual Grunfeld plans with an annoying check

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Gruenfeld LiChess Studies

The Grunfeld Defense - 9 Chapter Study ( 600+ hearts)
Grünfeld Defense - 16 Chapter Study
Grunfeld Defense - 22 Chapter Study (Can go to Listudy and do this Course below)

Grunfeld, Three Knights Variation (Black) - 11 Chapter Study

LiStudy (Study and Practice Moves from lines here)

Grunfeld Defense - 16 Chapters to learn and Practice
Grunfeld - 21 Chapters to learn and practice
lichess grunfeld - 22 Chapters (Course from above)

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Grunfeld Games Databases

Chessgames.com

Neo-Grunfeld Defense (D70-D99) - 49 Annotated games

365chess.com

D80: Gruenfeld defence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 - 43,000 Games
D81: Gruenfeld, Russian variation 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qb3 - 499 Games
D82: Gruenfeld, 4.Bf4 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 - 3945 Games
D83: Gruenfeld, Gruenfeld gambit 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O - 1597 Games

 ChessTempo.com

Gruenfeld Defense, General (D80) - 32,000 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation (D81) - 400 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack (D82) - 2800 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit (D83) - 2000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted (D84) - 300 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation (D85) - 15,000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack (D85) - 200 games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation (D85) - 6700 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Classical Variation (D86) - 4600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D87) - 1600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Exchange Variation, Spassky Variation (D88) - 900 Games

Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation (D90) - 3500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System (D91) - 6000 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack (D92) - 2100 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Variation (D93) - 2300 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Paris Variation (D94) - 500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation (D95) - 470 games


Gruenfeld Defense, Botvinnik Variation (D95) - 300 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation (D96) - 3600 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Hungarian Variation (D97) - 1400 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Szabo (Boleslavsky) (D97) - 480 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D98) - 500 Games
Gruenfeld Defense, Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D99) - 180 Games

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Grunfeld Chess Puzzles

wtharvey.com

Grunfeld (ECO D80) - 7 puzzles
Grunfeld, 4.Bf4 (ECO D82) - 8 Puzzles
Grunfeld Gambit (ECO D83) - 8 Puzzles
Grunfeld (ECO D85) - 9 Puzzles

Lichess Tactics  (Grunfeld Tactics Puzzles A bit over halfway down page)

Grünfeld Defense: 2,692 Puzzles
Exchange Variation: 1,073 Puzzles
Three Knights Variation: 960 Puzzles
Stockholm Variation: 209 Puzzles
Brinckmann Attack: 100 Puzzles
Russian Variation: 77 Puzzles

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Grunfeld Chess Video Lessons

Grünfeld Defense Opening Theory - 7 Video playlist  - Hanging Pawns

Grunfeld Defense Theory Taught by Super GM Peter Svidler! - 20 Min

Master The Grunfeld with US Chess Champion Sam Shankland - 80/20 Tactics Multiplier - 42 Min

The Grünfeld Defence - Chess Openings Explained - 39 Min - St.Louis Chess Club

GRANDMASTER EXPLAINS: Grunfeld Chess Defence - 21 Min - GM Eric Hansen

The Complete Gruenfeld Defense with New Secrets and Novelities 1 - 2hr 6 Min - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili
The Complete Gruenfeld Defense with New Secrets and Novelities 2 - 51 Min - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili

Learn the basics of Grunfeld Defence - GM Markus Ragger (Elo: 2656) - 104 Min - Chessbase India
Basics of Grunfeld by GM Abhijeet Gupta | (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5) - 86 Min - Chessbase India

Grunfeld Defense Opening Traps

Bonus video - Opening trap in the fianchetto Grunfeld - 15 Min - Jims Chess Channel
Chess Opening Traps in The Grunfeld Defence - 5 Min

Grunfeld Defense Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Grunfeld - 107 Video Playlist- kingscrusher
Grunfeld Defense - 16 Video Playlist  - Jazarov's Chess Channel
Grunfeld Defense - 50 Video Playlist  - Chess School
Grunfeld Defense - 45 Video Playlist  - agadmantor

GM Naroditsky

Master Class | Grünfeld Defense | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 31 Min
Amazing Game!! 95% Accuracy! | Grunfeld Defense | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 70 Min
What's a Tabia? | Grunfeld Theory: Fianchetto System | GM Naroditsky’s Top Theory Speedrun - 45 Min
Master Class | Grünfeld Defence | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 33 Min

IM John Bartholomew

Standard Chess #242: xyjan vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) -57 Min
Standard Chess #97: NC vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 42 Min
Standard Chess #36: IM Bartholomew vs. hood (Grunfeld Defense) - 32 Min
Standard Chess #33: ratakela vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 26 Min
Blitz Chess #122: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Artemiev (Grunfeld Defense) - 15 Min
Blitz Chess #4: IM Bartholomew vs. GM DonaldDraper (Grunfeld Defense) - 15 Min
Blitz Chess #187: GM Khachiyan vs. IM Bartholomew (Grunfeld Defense) - 16 min
Blitz Chess #365: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Igor Teplyi (Grunfeld Defense) - 21 Min

PLAYING THE GRUNFELD DEFENSE - 25 min - GM Eric Hansen
Nakamura vs. Karjakin | Gruenfeld Defense - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 2013.10.03 - 37 Min - St.Louis CC
Akobian vs. Hansen | 2010 Las Vegas | Gruenfeld - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 43 Min - St.Louis CC