ECO D80 · Grünfeld Defense

Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. h4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… c5−0.19

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit (D80), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. h4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… c5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.194… c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bg7 8. Ne2 cxd4 9. cxd4
  2. +0.044… c6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2 Qb6 9. Qb3
  3. +0.424… dxc4 5. e4 e5 6. Bg5 h6 7. dxe5 Qxd1+ 8. Rxd1 hxg5 9. exf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. h4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… c5 for Black, continuing 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bg7 8. Ne2 cxd4 9. cxd4. The position is roughly equal (−0.19). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.04) and 4… dxc4 (+0.42).
Is the Grünfeld Defense: Zaitsev Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.19: the position is roughly equal. 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: Zaitsev Gambit?
D80. 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+).