Ambitious Repertoire against the Grunfeld Defence
In his first database for Modern Chess, the Ukrainian FM Yuriy Krykun suggests a very challenging yet underestimated weapon against the Grunfeld Defence. The first important position of his repertoire arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Bb5+
Here is how the author describes the advantages of his choice:
The key move of our repertoire against the Grunfeld Defense. Now, Black seemingly has a large choice. However, as you start analyzing, you understand that two of the three moves as clearly inferior. The reason is that the whole idea behind Grunfeld is active play and pressure on the White centre. That is why playing ...Bd7 or ...Nd7, developing pieces to a passive square instead of the active dream-approach Nc6-Bg4! cannot be good. On the other hand, the position still remains complicated so we need to understand a few subtleties pretty well to gain the advantage. I would also like to mention that most players, especially ones who are not prepared for this specific line, might be rather afraid to put the knight on c6 as they always need to calculate the consequences of d4-d5. In fact, the move Bd7 has even been more popular, according to the database! That is why it is so important to study the arising positions carefully.
The current database includes 11 theoretical lines, 3 model games and 12 interactive test positions.
Chapter 1 - 7...0-0
In this position, it is well-known that Black should play ...c7-c5! as quickly as possible in order to fight for the centre and prevent White from simply castling. In this chapter, the author takes a look at the historical developments in this line and explains why Black should opt for this exact move order and why it's not good to go 7...O-O instead.
One of the key points can be found in the following line - 7...0-0 8.Be2 c5 9.0-0 Bg4 10.Be3 Nc6 11.d5!
Diagram
This is the key difference between this position and the same position without castlings for both sides. If Black started with 7..c5 and White tried the same way of development, here Bxc3! with a check would have been very annoying. However, here this move wouldn't be a check anymore so White stabilizes his centre and keeps a clear advantage.
In this chapter, the author also deals with 8...b6 and 9...Nc6.
Chapter 2 - 8...Bd7 with 9...Bg4
It is important to answer 8...Bd7 with 9.Be2 with the idea to castle and stabilize the position. The main position of the current chapter arises after 9...Bg4 10.Rb1!
This is the main reason why the line with Bd7 is not considered good. As we had seen before, Bxc3+ is a problem in many lines so White removes the rook from the long diagonal while also putting pressure on b7. Black can choose to either play calmly and finish the development or choose a rather forcing approach which leads him to a somewhat worse simplified position. In both cases, White maintains his edge.
Chapter 3 - 8...Bd7 with 9...0-0 and 9...cxd4
In this chapter, the author deals with 2 main continuations - 9...0-0 and 9...cxd4. While Krykun deals with many possible move orders and transpositions, the most critical position arises after 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Bc6
If our rook wasn't on a1, we could simply play d4-d5, kicking this bishop out with a tempo. Unfortunately, this is not the case so we need to start with 11.Qd3. However, it's not really a big deal as our goal here is not to win as many tempi as possible. Instead, our task is to stabilize the position and keep the advantage thanks to our lovely centre.
Chapter 4 - 8...Bd7 with 9...Qa5
This is a rather rare move, however, it is the one that is getting rather trendy, as lately it has been used by Svidler and Shankland among others. On top of that, it was recently recommended by Delchev in his book on Grunfeld, published in 2019, so we need to study this continuation rather carefully. Black is immediately putting pressure on the c3-pawn, making us defend it.
In this position, the suggestion of Krykun is 10.Bd2 0-0 11.0-0 Qa4 12.Be3!?N
This is a novelty. White is firmly protecting the centre. Black should probably go for an exchange of the queens. In this chapter, the author demonstrates that the arising endgame is far from easy for Black.
Chapter 5 - 8...Nd7
This is a seemingly "fighting" move which allows Black to keep more pieces on the board while also not allowing the forcing variations that we are about to see in the next chapters. Sounds attractive, doesn't it? Unfortunately, everything in chess comes at a certain cost. In this case, Black's knight will be placed extremely passively, which will prevent him from pursuing the main idea of Grunfeld - it will be nearly impossible to put pressure on the White centre!
The suggestion of Krykun is 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1!?
White prepares the f1-square for his bishops and supports the centre. Further analysis shows that Black cannot equalize in this position.
Chapter 6 - 8...Nc6 9.d5 a6
In this chapter, the author starts covering Black's most challenging line - 8...Nc6. By developing the knight, Black immediately puts pressure on the centre.
The author suggests two ways of playing for White - 9.d5 and the rare 9.Rb1.
He first deals with 9.d5. Here is what Krykun has to say about this move:
The most forcing move. It has never been considered dangerous, as people believed Black has about 3-4 decent continuations. However, while I was not able to find an advantage for White in every single line, I realized that only one(!) variation can be called a reliable solution for Black! In many lines, he almost loses by force, instead. For example, I have managed to find a new idea and pose problems for Black in the line that Avrukh recommends in his GM Repertoire book on Grunfeld. I have consulted other sources as well - GM Delchev in his first book "The Safest Grunfeld" doesn't consider 9.d5 at all, while GM Milos Pavlovic in his work "Unknown Weapons in the Grunfeld" doesn't analyze 8.Bb5 whatsoever.
Chapter 6 deals with the position arising after 9...a6 10.Be2
At this point, Black has two options - 10...Ne5 and 10...Bxc3
The move 10...Ne5 is well met by 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Qd2 followed by f2-f4. Therefore, Black's main option is 10...Bxc3. The critical position arises after 11.Bd2 Bxa1 12.Qxa1 Nd4 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.Qxd4.
In his analysis, the author proves that White has more than sufficient compensation for the exchange.
Chapter 7 - 8...Nc6 9.d5 Qa5 10.Rb1 a6
The move 10...a6? was used by many 2600+ and 2650+ GMs, but FM Krykun would dare to call this move very dangerous for Black, if not almost losing! The main line goes 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.0-0 Qxa2 13.Rb2 Qa5 14.d6 Ra7 15.Bf4!
This position occurred in 3 games. In his analysis, FM Krykun provides new ideas which completely change the evaluation. It turns out that Black is almost losing in this line.
Chapter 8 - 8...Nc6 9.d5 Qa5 10.Rb1 Bxc3+
The less frequent move, but it was played by MVL and Grischuk. Also, importantly, it was recommended by the great Svidler in his course. This is the one the author had most problems with, and here it's barely possible to find a theoretical advantage. But there are still things your opponent has to know! Black should find (or know) a long sequence of precise moves which leads to a draw.
In his conclusion to the current line, Krykun writes:
However, there are reasons why I would be strongly inclined to recommend that you try 9.d5 and keep it in your repertoire at least as a dangerous surprise weapon. The main one is because other moves lead to very dangerous, often losing positions for Black, and only one(!) game showed the right solution for Black. This is definitely a very encouraging sign. And if your opponent finds 20 precise only moves, congratulations - you drew a very strong player!
Chapter 9 - 9.Rb1 Qa5 and 9...0-0 10.d5 Na5
The move 9.Rb1 is our back-up option. Since the arising positions are relatively unexplored, there are is a room for improvement in practically every line.
This move was introduced by Daniil Dubov, who is known for his fantastic creative opening ideas. White just removes the rook from the a1-h8 diagonal and prepares the move d4-d5, wanting to see how Black will react.
In this chapter, the author examines two main lines - 9...Qa5 and 9...0-0 10.d5 Na5.
In response to 9...Qa5, White can force the transition into a favourable endgame by means of the simple 10.Qa4. On the other hand, 9...0-0 10.d5 Na5 is well met by 11.0-0.
The a5-knight isn't making Black's position too beautiful. Now we will improve our position with moves like Qd3, Ba4, c3-c4, Re1 etc.
Chapter 10 - 9.Rb1 0-0 10.d5 Bxc3+
Black opts for a concrete approach to the position. The next few moves are forced - 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2
Now Black faces a choice between two continuations - 12...Nd4 and 12...Na5. In both cases, White can keep putting pressure on Black's position. In the analysis of FM Krykun, you are going to find some very interesting novelties.
Chapter 11 - 9.Rb1 0-0 10.d5 Ne5
This move has been played by GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. Note that so far this position has occurred in only 9 games. Therefore, there are not established main line yet.
At this point, Krykun examines two promising moves - 11.Nxe5 and 11.0-0. His main line, however, goes 11.0-0 Nxf3+ 12.Qxf3 f5 13.Bc4
Here are the author's thoughts on the position:
I, actually, like this continuation best. It was tried in one game between two 2200-level players only, which is great as many people wouldn't pay attention to this game. This was a correspondence game, by the way, so this move is a novelty by over-the-board standards! Its objective merit is also rather high as White, after a forced line, gets a position with very little risk and great chances to keep posing problems for many more moves.
Model Games
In this section, the author provides 3 model games which illustrate some of the most important ideas in this line. Below, you can take a look at one of the games.
Test Section
At the end of the database, you will find 12 interactive test positions. By solving them, you will check your knowledge and understanding of the theory.