← Grünfeld Defense

Practice: Spassky Variation (4.Bf4)

Bishop to f4 before e4

White develops the bishop to f4 before pushing e4, a system championed by Boris Spassky. Leads to quieter positions than the critical Exchange variation.

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5
4. Bf4 Bg7
5. e3 O-O
6. Rc1 dxc4
7. Bxc4 c5
8. Nf3
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black lets White build the ideal centre (d4, c4, e4) and then attacks it with ...d5. Black fights the centre with pieces instead of pawns.
  • After the exchange on d5, Black's bishops on g7 and b7 rake the long diagonals. White's king can come under heavy fire if it stays in the centre.
  • White often castles queenside and launches a direct attack, hoping to checkmate before Black's bishops take over the game.

Common mistakes & traps

  • In the Exchange Variation, Black can catch White off guard: 8...Nc6 9.Be3 Bg7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.b3? allows 11...Nxd4! 12.Bxd4 e5 winning a piece.
  • The Russian system (4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qa4+) seems annoying, but Black who responds with ...Bd7? 6.Qb3 gives White too much pressure on the d5 pawn.

Pawn structure notes

White builds a three-pawn centre (e4, d4, c4). After Black plays ...d5 and exchanges happen, White has e4 and c4 left while Black's centre is gone. Black's bishops act as long-term compensation.

Tips

  • By delaying e4, White avoids the sharpest Grunfeld lines
  • The Bf4 develops actively and supports the centre from a safe square
  • A practical system that keeps the game in more positional territory

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.