Caissa Codex
A16

English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Anglo-Grünfeld Variation 5. Bg2 Nxc3

Chess diagram: English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Anglo-Grünfeld Variation after 5…Nxc3

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Statistics from Lichess

70,771 games: White 47.1% / Draw 7.9% / Black 45.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
68,53169K
2,0162,016
115115
6262
1818
88
55
44

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.34 White is slightly better

Best play: 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. h4 h6 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Rxb7 Bxb7 10. Bxb7 Nd7

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Anglo-Grünfeld Variation (ECO A16, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense, reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Nxc3 (5 moves).

In 70,771 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 45.0% and 7.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. bxc3, in 97% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Nxc3, the position after English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Anglo-Grünfeld Variation (A16)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-anglo-indian-defense-anglo-grunfeld-variation-4

https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-anglo-indian-defense-anglo-grunfeld-variation-4