Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6
8. Be2+0.47
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation (D97), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Be2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).
Top engine moves
- +0.478. Be2 Bg4 9. d5 Na5 10. Qb4 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 c6 12. O-O Qb6
- +0.248. Bf4 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nb6 10. Qc5 Bg4 11. d5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nd4
- +0.228. Be3 Ng4 9. e5 Be6 10. Qc5 a5 11. a3 Nxe3 12. fxe3 Nb8
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Be2 for White, continuing Bg4 9. d5 Na5 10. Qb4 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 c6 12. O-O Qb6. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 8. Bf4 (+0.24) and 8. Be3 (+0.22).
Is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Byrne Variation?
D97. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; D is the volume for closed and semi-closed games.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).