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Grunfeld, Russian (D98)
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Qb3 dxc4 6 Qxc4 O-O
7 e4 Bg4

Number of games in database: 346
Years covered: 1941 to 2022
Overall record:
   White wins 32.9%
   Black wins 26.0%
   Draws 41.0%

Popularity graph, by decade

Explore this opening  |  Search for sacrifices in this opening.
PRACTITIONERS
With the White Pieces With the Black Pieces
Gennadi Sosonko  11 games
Ivan Farago  7 games
Ivan Nemet  5 games
Vasily Smyslov  11 games
Lubomir Ftacnik  9 games
Vlastimil Jansa  9 games
NOTABLE GAMES [what is this?]
White Wins Black Wins
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1957
Smyslov vs Botvinnik, 1958
Botvinnik vs Smyslov, 1946
Najdorf vs Ragozin, 1948
Tukmakov vs Smejkal, 1973
N Kulzinski vs Gligoric, 1948
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 page 1 of 14; games 1-25 of 346  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. J C Balparda vs M Castillo  ½-½311941Aguas de Sao Pedro / Sao PauloD98 Grunfeld, Russian
2. Kotov vs Smyslov 1-0901945USSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
3. G Goldberg vs I Rudakovsky  0-1281945USSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
4. Lilienthal vs Smyslov 1-0601946Moscow ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
5. Botvinnik vs Smyslov 1-0501946GroningenD98 Grunfeld, Russian
6. P Dubinin vs Smyslov  ½-½431947USSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
7. K Plater vs Smyslov 0-1701947WarsawD98 Grunfeld, Russian
8. G Ilivitsky vs Suetin 0-1411947RSFSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
9. A Ivashin vs P Dubinin  1-0291947RSFSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
10. A Ivashin vs P Dubinin  1-0401947RSFSR ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
11. Kotov vs Smyslov ½-½311947ParnuD98 Grunfeld, Russian
12. Kotov vs Lilienthal  ½-½421947ParnuD98 Grunfeld, Russian
13. S Nedeljkovic vs B Milic  1-0281947Yugoslav Semifinal WestD98 Grunfeld, Russian
14. B Sikosek vs M Markovic  1-0231947Yugoslav First LeagueD98 Grunfeld, Russian
15. Pirc vs B Milic  ½-½731947Yugoslav ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
16. Pirc vs Gligoric 0-1521947Yugoslav ChampionshipD98 Grunfeld, Russian
17. C Kottnauer vs N Novotelnov 0-1261947MoscowD98 Grunfeld, Russian
18. J Sajtar vs B Milic  1-0421947Yugoslavia - CzechoslovakiaD98 Grunfeld, Russian
19. Pachman vs Keres  ½-½331947MoscowD98 Grunfeld, Russian
20. A Tsvetkov vs N Novotelnov  0-1381947MoscowD98 Grunfeld, Russian
21. N Novotelnov vs Smyslov  ½-½181947MoscowD98 Grunfeld, Russian
22. Botvinnik vs Smyslov ½-½791948FIDE World Championship TournamentD98 Grunfeld, Russian
23. M Radulescu vs Gligoric  0-1631948BudapestD98 Grunfeld, Russian
24. Lilienthal vs Bronstein ½-½251948Saltsjobaden InterzonalD98 Grunfeld, Russian
25. Kotov vs Lilienthal  ½-½231948Saltsjobaden InterzonalD98 Grunfeld, Russian
 page 1 of 14; games 1-25 of 346  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)  

Kibitzer's Corner
Sep-18-06  Bobak Zahmat: This variation of the Grunfeld isn't played for years now. Is this a bit old fashioned? Or is the current theory has more advantages for White?
Sep-18-06  Bobak Zahmat: Pretty incredible that all the notable games where White wins are from the WC matches between Botvinnik and Smyslov.
Sep-18-06  wharfrat: <Bobak Zahmat> Please keep in mind that there are only 404,000 games in this database and only 126 games in this line over a 61 year period, so you cannot draw any definite conclusions from what's on this site. My recollection is that Karpov's games against Kasparov in this line left such a bad impression with Gruenfeld devotees that the vast majority switched to other lines (7...Na6, 7...Nc6, and 7...a6 in particular).
Sep-18-06  Bobak Zahmat: Are there on this website only 404,000 games? It looks far more. Anyhow, this variatio looked a bit weird to me, seeing the Queen on c4 instead of the light bishop.
Sep-19-06  wharfrat: <Bobok Zahmat> The number of games in the database is always going up, but it is listed near the top of the home page. In addition, some games in this line are listed under D99, most notably the important game Euwe-Smyslov from the 1948 World Championship tournament.

The system with 5.Qb3 was developed by Soviet players in the early 1930s, led by Botvinnik. The idea is to force Black to exchange on c4, allowing White to set up the ideal pawn duo on e4 and d4. The queen is somewhat exposed on c4, but White hopes to consolidate his position and then use the pawn center to his advantage. 7...Bg4 was a system developed by Smyslov during World War II, and it became the primary response at the GM level for decades.

While it's possible for White to get this type of position with his bishop on c4 instead of the queen, it takes considerable cooperation from Black.

Aug-01-19  Chesgambit: this varition is not dead
equal varition

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