Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
48,537 games: White 48.4% / Draw 6.2% / Black 45.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 36,23136K | ||
| 7,5637,563 | ||
| 2,4182,418 | ||
| 1,2061,206 | ||
| 491491 | ||
| 317317 | ||
| 223223 | ||
| 3636 |
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: 4... dxc4 5. Qxc4 Be6 6. Qb5+ Bd7 7. Qb3 c5 8. dxc5 Bg7 9. e4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation (ECO D81, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qb3 (4 moves).
In 48,537 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.4%, Black 45.4% and 6.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…dxc4, in 75% 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: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation
The most played answer, 4…dxc4, also scores best for Black: 50.0%, with Black winning 46.9% and White 46.9% of 36K games. Of the main answers, 4…c6 scores lowest: 44.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…dxc4.
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: Russian Variation, Accelerated Variation (D81)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-russian-variation-accelerated-variation