Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
22,047 games: White 44.7% / Draw 7.4% / Black 47.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,15411K | ||
| 3,1923,192 | ||
| 2,6982,698 | ||
| 2,4682,468 | ||
| 1,4301,430 | ||
| 713713 | ||
| 214214 | ||
| 4444 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.10 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. Qc4 cxd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation (ECO D97, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 (7 moves).
In 22,047 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.7%, Black 47.9% and 7.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Be2, in 51% 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, Byrne Variation
The most played answer, 8. Be2, also scores best for White: 50.7%, with White winning 46.5% and Black 45.0% of 11K games. Of the main answers, 8. e5 scores lowest: 42.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. 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: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation (D97)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-russian-variation-byrne-variation