Grünfeld Defense: Counterthrust Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
88,667 games: White 49.3% / Draw 6.4% / Black 44.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 35,03035K | ||
| 30,75531K | ||
| 16,03116K | ||
| 1,7571,757 | ||
| 1,7491,749 | ||
| 898898 | ||
| 761761 | ||
| 440440 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.41 White is slightly better
Best play: 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Ne2 c5 8. d5 e6 9. O-O O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Counterthrust Variation (ECO E60, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Immediate Fianchetto, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 (4 moves).
In 88,667 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.3%, Black 44.3% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. cxd5, in 40% 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: Counterthrust Variation
The most played answer, 5. cxd5, also scores best for White: 54.1%, with White winning 50.6% and Black 42.5% of 35K games. Of the main answers, 5. Nf3 scores lowest: 51.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. cxd5.
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: Counterthrust Variation (E60)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-counterthrust-variation