Grünfeld Defense: Botvinnik Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,129 games: White 46.3% / Draw 6.8% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,6522,652 | ||
| 2,3182,318 | ||
| 2,0212,021 | ||
| 984984 | ||
| 581581 | ||
| 178178 | ||
| 113113 | ||
| 9999 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Be2 b6 8. O-O Bb7 9. Rd1 Qe7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd2 c5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Botvinnik Variation (ECO D95, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Vienna Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Qb3 e6 (6 moves).
In 9,129 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.3%, Black 46.9% and 6.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bd2, in 29% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Grünfeld Defense: Botvinnik Variation
The most played answer, 7. Bd2, also scores best for White: 52.5%, with White winning 48.8% and Black 43.8% of 2,652 games. Of the main answers, 7. Ne5 scores lowest: 41.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. Be2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Grünfeld Defense: Botvinnik Variation (D95)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-botvinnik-variation