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

Sharpen Your Chess Vision: Essential Methods for Spotting Chess Tactics

"Chess is 99% tactics." - Richard Teichmann

 See What Your Opponent Misses
 Methods for Identifying Chess Tactics
 

Chess is a battle of wits, and tactics are the sharp weapons you need to dominate the board. Spotting winning opportunities and exploiting your opponent's weaknesses are essential skills for any chess player. This comprehensive guide equips you with the essential methods for finding tactics, along with valuable resources to elevate your tactical vision.

Here are some key reasons why you should sharpen your tactical skills:

• Win More Games: Tactics are the most common way to win chess games, especially at the beginner and intermediate levels.
• Develop Sharper Thinking: The process of identifying tactical opportunities trains your brain to analyze positions critically and efficiently.
• Become a More Feared Opponent: When you consistently find tactics, your opponents will become wary and hesitant to make risky moves.

By the end of this guide, you'll have a toolbox of tactics-finding methods and a wealth of resources to practice and improve your skills. Let's dive in!

What Are Chess Tactics?

Chess tactics are the short sequences of moves that exploit weaknesses in your opponent's position and result in a material gain (capturing a piece), checkmate, or other significant advantage. These weaknesses can come in many forms, like unprotected pieces, poor pawn structure, or a vulnerable king.

By recognizing these weaknesses and calculating the tactical sequences that exploit them, you can gain a decisive edge in the game.

Unveiling Tactical Weaknesses:

To execute a tactic, a player must identify weaknesses in their opponent's position. These weaknesses can come in many forms, and recognizing them is an essential skill for any chess player. 

• Hanging (undefended) pieces: Pieces that are left unprotected or undefended are vulnerable to attack.
• Under-defended pawns and pieces: Pawns and pieces that are not adequately protected can be targeted by the opponent.
• Vulnerable king position: A king that is exposed or in a poor position can be a significant weakness.
• Pawn weaknesses: Pawns that are isolated, doubled, or backwards can be targeted by the opponent.
• Backward pawns: Pawns that are pushed too far forward can be weak and become an easy target for attack.
• Weak squares: Squares that are undefended or can't be protected by pawns or pieces are potential targets for tactics.
• Unprotected pieces: Pieces that are left undefended or that can be taken without any consequences for the opponent can be exploited.
• Overloaded pieces: Pieces that are responsible for protecting multiple squares or pieces can be a weakness if they are forced to move.
• Space advantage: Having more space can be a major advantage in chess, and can be exploited with tactics such as forks and pins.
• Trapped pieces: Pieces that are trapped or unable to move can be a weakness for the player.
  
  

The more of these weaknesses you can identify in your opponent's position, the more opportunities you have to launch a tactical attack. Keep in mind that exploiting these weaknesses requires both knowledge and practice, so keep practicing and analyzing these concepts to improve your chess tactics.

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Finding Tactics Chess Articles

5 Grandmaster Tips To Improve Your Tactics - GM Eugene Perylshteyn -Sharpen your tactical eye with these practical tips from a Grandmaster.

Finding the Tactic in Chess Games - ichess Article w/ 40 Min Embedded Anna Rudolph Video (Real Nice) (Archived)
 
Spotting And Avoiding Tactics - NM Dan Heisman  - Develop a well-rounded game! National Master Dan Heisman emphasizes the importance of consistent safety checks alongside identifying tactical opportunities to avoid blunders.

How to Improve Your Tactical Vision - GM Avetik - Lichess Blog Article -Elevate your tactical thinking! Grandmaster Avetik shares 3 key strategies to improve your ability to spot tactics on the board.

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LiChess Studies

Spotting Tactics - 5 Chapter Interactive Study - Master the fundamentals! This interactive study covers 5 key tactical themes: loose pieces, exposed king, weak back rank, forks, and overloaded pieces. (Great for beginners!)

Beginner Tactics - 9 Chapter Study (540 Hearts) Dive deep into tactics! This series offers a structured approach to learning tactics, with multiple studies containing hundreds of Lessons (Highly rated by the Lichess community!)

• Beginner Tactics 1 - 30 Chapter Study - Get started with the basics!
• Beginner Tactics 2 - 59 Chapter Study - Build upon your foundation!
• Beginner Tactics 3 - 6 Chapter Study - Challenge yourself with more advanced Lessons!
• Beginner Checkmate Patterns - 50 Chapter Study - Deliver the final blow! Learn how to recognize and execute winning checkmate patterns in this 50-chapter interactive study. 

(Real Nice Beginner Resource)

New to LiChess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, making them a perfect way to test your understanding and solidify your tactical skills.

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Chess Tactics Video Lessons

General Lessons In Spotting tactics

Playlist

• Squarology's "7 Signs of Tactics" Series - 11 Video Playlist - (1.5hr) Chess.com ( IM Daniel Tapia ) - Learn the 7 key signs that indicate a tactical opportunity is present on the board.

How to Find Chess Tactics in Quiet Positions? - 20 Min - IM Asaf Givon will explain to you how to find tactics in quiet positions, with some really great examples.

How To Spot "Hidden" Tactics In Your Games - Tricky Chess Tactics Lesson - 15 Min - NM Nelson Lopez - The lesson emphasizes the need to consider major pieces, undefended pieces, and potential threats to the king when evaluating positions for tactical possibilities.

Recognizing Tactics in your Games | Road to 2000 - 55 Min - NM Caleb denby - See how tactics unfold in real games! Analyze real-world examples from beginner to elite levels.

Tactical Vision | Grandmaster's Choice - GM Akshat Chandra - 49 Min - St.Louis CC -
Emphasizes the importance of exploiting weaknesses, creating threats, and maintaining piece activity.(New 5/29/24) 

NM Dan Heisman

Safety and Tactics - 44 Video Playlist  - (Really Great Tactics Playlist) - Master both sides of the coin! This extensive playlist by NM Dan Heisman explores tactics alongside safety principles.

• Finding Tactics Videos Below
• Chess Tactics - Seeds of Tactical Destruction - how to spot tactics! - 28 Min
• Chess Tactics: More Seeds of Tactical Destruction - 28 Min
• Using Seeds of Tactical Destruction to Spot Chess Tactics - 29 Min
• The Geometry of Chess Tactics - 29 Min

Chess Forcing Moves (Checks, Captures, Threats)

How to find tactics in chess | Using forcing moves to improve your chess thinking - 26 Min - Zibbit - We look at proven method to improve your chess thinking. Look at the forcing moves, checks, captures and threats!

Chess Tactics 101: Introduction - Forcing Moves - 14 Min - Im Kostya Kavutskiy - Covers identifying key tactical elements, understanding common tactical motifs, and applying them in practice through exercises.

Forcing Moves | Beginner Breakdown - 65 Min - St. Louis Chess Club Lesson
Forcing Moves Revisited | Beginner Breakdown - 61 Min - St.Louis Chess Club - Alex Moellering talks about "forcing moves" in chess. This includes checks and captures, which force an opponent to respond in a specific way.

Paul Morphy's Forcing Moves & Initiative | Kids' Class - GM Josh Friedel - 27 Min St.Louis Chess Club -  Shows a classic Paul Morphy game where white took the initiative early and black had to respond to white's forcing moves.

Learn Chess: The Forcing Moves - Checks, Captures & Threats - 28 min - NM Dan Heisman -Identify the building blocks! NM Dan Heisman defines forcing moves (checks, captures, threats) and their role in tactics.

Did you calculate correctly? | Checks, Captures & Threats Method - Exercise Solution - * Min - IM Alax Astaneh

Positions To Know

A Crucial Chess Principle About Tactics - 7 Min - NM Nelson Lopez

Unprotected Pieces

Identifying and exploiting unprotected pieces is a fundamental tactical skill.

• Chess Tactics: The Signals of Undefended Pieces! - 7 Mins - Chess.com Video 
  
  
• How to identify Hanging Pieces | Chess Fundamentals | IM Alex Astaneh - 14 Min - IM Alex Astaneh - Based on practical examples you will learn how to identify unprotected and hanging pieces and by use of the counting method you will learn how to win these weak pieces.
  
  
• How to identify and attack unprotected Pieces and Pawns | Chess Fundamentals | IM Alex Astaneh - 16 Min - IM Alex Astaneh -  IM Alex Astaneh is teaching you how to identify unprotected points and how to win unprotected pieces using the counting method.
  
  
• Fundamentals #3: Undefended Pieces by Max Warmerdam - 66 Min

FIDE World Cup - 2023

 

2023 FIDE World Cup  |  July 29th - August 26th

The FIDE World Cup is a direct qualification route to the 2024 Candidates Tournament.
Top players from each federation will be clashing against each other in a knockout format, vying to reach the coveted top 3 and clinch a spot in the Candidates. 

The FIDE World Cup is a biennial chess tournament organized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

The 2023 edition will feature 206 players in the open section, plus 103 in the Women’s competition, this event has seen its combined prize pool boosted to a whopping USD 2.5 million, the single largest one at any chess event in the world.

 The tournament is structured as a knockout, with each round consisting of two games played over two days. The player with the highest score advances to the next round, and the championship match will be played over four games.

FIDE WORLD CUP OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Players Page
(List of Men and Women)

Pairing Tree Page 

Chess.com Tournament Bracket Contest

Prizes

• Overall winner: Six months of premium membership 

• Second place: Three months of premium membership

• Third place: One month of premium membership

• Random winner: One month of premium membership

Nakhmanson Gambit - Opening Theory (C56)

 Nakhmanson Gambit Chess Resources

A Gambit Arising out of the Two Knights Defense.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.Nc3

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Nakhmanson Gambit Articles

Nakhmanson Gambit: Opening Guide for White and Black - Chessable Blog Opening Guide 
Nakhmanson Gambit: Refutation and Traps | 5 Minute Guide - ChessTier Guide

Most SAVAGE Chess Opening After 1.e4 e5 | Nakhmanson Gambit - GM Igor Smirnov w/embedded Video 17 Min Long

Robert Ris’ Fast and Furious: The Nakhmanson Gambit - Chessbase Article w/ 30 Min Video

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Lichess Studies

The Nakhmanson Gambit - 18 Chapter Study (1000+ Hearts) w/ Link to Video
Nakhmanson Gambit! - 14 Chapter Study

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Game Databases

Chessgames.com 
Nakhmanson Gambit - 6 Games

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Nakhmanson Gambit Videos

The Most Aggressive Gambit You've Never Heard Of | Nakhmanson Gambit - 14 Min - Johnathan Schrantz
The NEW Nakhmanson Gambit? - 16 min - Johnathan Schrantz

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Nakhmanson Gambit! - 16 Min - Chess Giant
Learn the Evans and Nakhmanson Gambit | 10-Minute Chess Openings - 11 Min - Gotham Chess
Nakhmanson Gambit Refuted? | Answering Viewer Questions - 20 Min - Johnathan Schrantz

Never Stop Attacking: Nakhmanson Gambit Declined - 28 Min - thechesswebsite
Nakhmanson Gambit with 6...Nxc3!? - 21 Min - thechesswebsite

Nakhmanson Traps and Tactics

Nakhmanson Gambit: Chess Opening Traps To WIN FAST | Best Moves, Tricks, Tactics, Strategy & Ideas - 10 Min

Game Videos w/ Analysis

Two More Wins with the Nakhmanson Gambit - 11 Min - Johnathan Schrantz
I Beat a 2700 GM with the NEW NAKHMANSON GAMBIT - 16 Min - Johnatan Schrantz
Beating an IM with the Nakhmanson Gambit - 7 Min - Johnathan Schrantz
The Nakhmanson Gambit is SO MUCH FUN - 12 Min - IM Rosen
Magnus Carlsen Plays the Nakhmanson Gambit - 10 Min
Magnus Carlsen has a Nakhmanson Problem - 21 Min