Grünfeld Defence

The idea

A bold, hypermodern answer to 1.d4. Instead of occupying the centre, Black invites White to build a broad pawn front — and then sets out to tear it down. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 rakes the long diagonal while ...c5 and piece pressure pour onto the centre. It is dynamic, double-edged chess where Black trades space for activity.

Your plan (Black)

Let White overextend, then strike with ...c5 and the g7-bishop down the long diagonal, hitting d4 and the queenside until White's proud centre becomes a target rather than a strength.

Heading into the middlegame

The Grünfeld is the Alekhine's big brother: invite White's d4/e4 centre, then tear it down. The g7-bishop rakes the long diagonal, and ...c5 (backed by ...Nc6, ...Qa5, ...Bg4 and ...Rd8) hammers d4 and White's pawns. In the Exchange line, target the c3-pawn White creates — pile up until the proud centre cracks. Don't sit still: the moment White's pawns advance, attack them, because a centre you can't pressure is a centre that simply wins.