Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Original Defense
Overview
Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Original Defense sits at the top of the Closed & Semi-Closed Games tree, indexed as ECO D78.
The Closed & Semi-Closed Games group covers closed and semi-closed games — 1.d4 systems characterised by long strategic manoeuvring rather than early tactics.
It begins with 12 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. O-O d5 to reach the canonical position.
It continues primarily into one named line, Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Ultra-Delayed Exchange Variation.
Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.
- ECO code
- D78
- Group
- Closed & Semi-Closed Games (D)
- Plies
- 12
- Direct variations
- 1
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
942,448 games · White 49.9% / Draw 7.9% / Black 42.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 396,756 | |
| cxd5 | 229,614 | |
| b3 | 98,127 | |
| Nbd2 | 66,238 | |
| Qc2 | 33,035 | |
| Ne5 | 31,483 | |
| Qb3 | 29,973 | |
| a4 | 10,566 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:42:58
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