Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
69,334 games: White 47.6% / Draw 4.5% / Black 47.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 54,61255K | ||
| 6,3066,306 | ||
| 3,1403,140 | ||
| 2,9572,957 | ||
| 614614 | ||
| 594594 | ||
| 554554 | ||
| 211211 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.16 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. dxc5 Nxc3 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. bxc3 Bg7 9. Bd2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation (ECO D80, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. f3 (4 moves).
In 69,334 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.6%, Black 47.9% and 4.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Bg7, in 79% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation, Murrey Attack.
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: Lutikov Variation
4…c5 scores best for Black: 57.1%, with Black winning 54.5% and White 40.3% of 6,306 games. The most played answer, 4…Bg7, scores lowest: 49.9% in 55K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…c5.
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
Variations (1)
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Grünfeld Defense: Lutikov Variation (D80)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-lutikov-variation