Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4
8. Be3+0.50
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation (D98), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).
Top engine moves
- +0.508. Be3 Nfd7 9. Qb3 Nb6 10. Rd1 e6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. e5 a5
- +0.388. Be2 Nfd7 9. Be3 Nb6 10. Qc5 Bxf3 11. gxf3 e5 12. d5 N8d7
- +0.298. Ne5 Be6 9. Qd3 Na6 10. Qd2 Qd6 11. Nf3 Qb6 12. Be2 Rad8
Other move orders
- 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Qb3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White, continuing Nfd7 9. Qb3 Nb6 10. Rd1 e6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. e5 a5. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 8. Be2 (+0.38) and 8. Ne5 (+0.29).
Is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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, Smyslov Variation?
D98. 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+).