Tree path 7 levels Grünfeld Defense › Three Knights Variation › Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation › Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation › Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation › Smyslov Variation › Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation
- Caissa Codex
- Grünfeld Defense D80
- Three Knights Variation D90
- Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation D90
- Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation D96
- Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation D97
- Smyslov Variation D98
- Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation D98 you are here
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Keres Variation is a named branch in the Closed & Semi-Closed Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO D98.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nc6 11. O-O-O, after 21 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation, part of the broader Grünfeld Defense system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- D98
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 21
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
196 games · White 48.5% / Draw 8.7% / Black 42.9%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bxf3 | 54 | |
| Nb4 | 34 | |
| a5 | 32 | |
| e5 | 22 | |
| e6 | 18 | |
| Qd6 | 11 | |
| Qd7 | 9 | |
| a6 | 5 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:28:29
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