Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Polgar Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
45,191 games: White 50.0% / Draw 6.7% / Black 43.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 21,07121K | ||
| 14,64215K | ||
| 2,4462,446 | ||
| 1,7561,756 | ||
| 1,0381,038 | ||
| 856856 | ||
| 826826 | ||
| 681681 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.31 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. e4 Nb6 9. d5 Na5 10. Qe1 Nac4 11. Nc3 e6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Polgar Variation (ECO D77, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 Nc6 (6 moves).
In 45,191 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.0%, Black 43.3% and 6.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. cxd5, in 47% 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 Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Polgar Variation
7. b3 scores best for White: 55.7%, with White winning 51.8% and Black 40.4% of 2,446 games. The most played answer, 7. cxd5, scores lowest: 53.1% in 21K games. Stockfish's first choice is 7. cxd5.
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. “Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation, Polgar Variation (D77)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/neo-grunfeld-defense-classical-variation-polgar-variation