Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation 8…Nfd7 9. Qb3
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Statistics from Lichess
196 games: White 53.1% / Draw 9.2% / Black 37.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 160160 | ||
| 1515 | ||
| 99 | ||
| Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Yugoslav Variation | 77 | |
| 22 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.20 The position is about equal
Best play: 9... Nc6 10. Qxb7 Na5 11. Qa6 c5 12. Rd1 Rb8 13. Bb5 Rb7 14. dxc5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (ECO D99, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation, reached after 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. Qb3 (9 moves).
In 196 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 37.8% and 9.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 9…Nb6, in 82% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Yugoslav Variation.
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Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D99)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-russian-variation-smyslov-variation-2