6. Double Attack Trap on c5 and b7 (Early Simplification)
In this line White opts for 8.Be3 and 9.Qd2 aiming for central simplification. Black counters with ...cxd4 and a forced queen trade with check 10...Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2, transitioning into an advantageous endgame against an offside white king.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2 Nc6
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White occupies the center with the Queen's pawn: controls e5 and c5 and opens diagonals for the c1 Bishop and the Queen.
- 1...Nf6 – Black develops the Knight and controls e4 and d5: prevents an immediate 2.e4 and prepares the Grünfeld structure.
- 2.c4 – White gains central space with the c-pawn: controls d5 and prepares harmonious Knight development to c3.
- 2...g6 – The signature move of the Grünfeld: Black prepares the fianchetto of the Bishop on g7 to pressure White's center from afar.
- 3.Nc3 – White develops the Knight toward the center: guards d5 and prepares to seize the full center with e2-e4.
- 3...d5 – The defining thrust of the Grünfeld Defense: Black immediately challenges White's center with d5 before castling.
- 4.cxd5 – White captures on d5 opening the c-file and inviting Black's Knight to take center stage.
- 4...Nxd5 – The Black Knight recaptures in the center with tempo, establishing a dominant post and clearing the way for pawns.
- 5.e4 – White seizes the center with e4 gaining space and attacking Black's Knight to win tempi.
- 5...Nxc3 – Black trades knights on c3, reducing pieces and forcing White's b-pawn to recapture toward the center.
- 6.bxc3 – White recaptures toward the center: builds an imposing c3-d4-e4 pawn block but offers Black tangible targets.
- 6...Bg7 – The Bishop takes command of the long h8-a1 diagonal: from here it will continuously harass White's c3-d4 center.
- 7.Bc4 – The Bishop develops to the active c4 post, controlling d5 and targeting the vulnerable f7 square.
- 7...c5 – The thematic key of the Grünfeld: Black undermines White's c3-d4 center with the lateral pawn strike.
- 8.Be3 – White develops the Bishop to e3 guarding d4, anticipating Black's pressure along the c-file.
- 8...Qa5 – The Queen sorties to a5 with authority, pinning the c3 pawn to the King and forcing White to clarify defense.
- 9.Qd2 – White's Queen breaks the c3 pin and offers heavy piece simplification in the center.
- 9...cxd4 – Black eliminates the d4 pawn, opening the position to draw White's King out into the open center.
- 10.cxd4 – White recaptures with the c-pawn to keep the center and invite Black to trade Queens.
- 10...Qxd2+ – Black accepts the queen trade with check: draws White's King to an exposed central post.
- 11.Kxd2 – White's King recaptures on d2, permanently surrendering castling rights and remaining stranded in the center.
- 11...Nc6 – The Knight develops toward the center with direct pressure on the loose d4 pawn, starting the endgame squeeze.
How to exploit the position
Extremely comfortable transition endgame for Black: queens are off, White's king is decentralized on d2, and the d4-e4 pawn chain is fixed and besieged.
- Post the knight on c6 and the bishop on e6 to multiply attacks against the vulnerable d4 pawn.
- Bring the rook to d8 with tempo, checking or pinning d4 against the white king.
- Advance the queenside majority with ...a6 and ...b5, opening the c-file for the second rook.
- Restrain White's central pawns from advancing and pick off d4 through methodical maneuvering.
Master tips
Safe transition to the endgame
If White seeks central liquidation without noticing the king is stranded on d2, trading queens heavily favors Black.