Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
7,790 games: White 51.2% / Draw 6.5% / Black 42.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,4273,427 | ||
| 3,3423,342 | ||
| 517517 | ||
| 281281 | ||
| 205205 | ||
| 1313 | ||
| 33 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.01 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Bd7 6. Qd1 dxc4 7. e4 c5 8. Bxc4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Nxc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Flohr Variation (ECO D90, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qa4+ (5 moves).
In 7,790 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.2%, Black 42.3% and 6.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…c6, in 44% 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: Flohr Variation
5…Nc6 scores best for Black: 47.2%, with Black winning 44.3% and White 49.9% of 517 games. The most played answer, 5…c6, scores lowest: 45.8% in 3,427 games. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Bd7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Flohr Variation (D90)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-flohr-variation