Play the Gruenfeld Defence – Part 1

GM Ivan Cheparinov starts another fascinating project – Play the Gruenfeld Defence. In two databases, he will provide top-level Gruenfeld Repertoire for Black. GM Cheparinov has tremendous experience in this opening. Besides using the Gruenfeld Defence as one of his main weapons, he worked on this opening as a second of the former World Champion Veselin Topalov.

The database consists of 18 theoretical chapters, 18 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and Video Version (6h and 50min).

The starting position of the project arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

The suggested repertoire is suitable for dynamic and ambitious players. The first database covers everything except the lines starting with 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4. These lines will be covered in Part 2 of the current project.

When possible, Cheparinov strives for dynamic and less explored continuations which allow Black to fight for a win. For example, against the fashionable system starting with 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bd2, Cheparinov suggests 5…c5!?

Even though according to the statistics the move 5…c5!? is only Black’s 4th choice, Cheparinov considers it to be Black’s best bet against the system with Bd2. Black’s idea is to answer 6.e4 with 6…Nxc3 7.Bxc3 cxd4 8.Bxd4 e5!

In his annotations, the author proves that Black has very strong counterplay in the arising positions.

The approach to the chapter with Bd2 can be seen in the entire database.