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All the games are again in the Grünfeld this month, but from now on I will also try to cover other Daring Defenses lines.
The first game is about the popular 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4 line while the next four are in the Exchange dealing with popular lines such as 7.Bc4 and 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 and 8.Bb5+, followed by the sharp 4.Nf3 Bg7 4.h4 line, and finally two games on the Russian line 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3.

Download PGN of September ’23 Daring Defences games

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Grünfeld 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.e3 0-0 [D80/91]

In Antipov, M2 - Woodward, A Black opted for the well known queen exchange line after 6...Bg7 7.e3 0-0 8.Nf3 c5 9.cxd5 Qxd5 10.Be2 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2:

Black found a new and good way to equalize.



Grünfeld Exchange 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 0-0 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 [D85]

In Eljanov, P - Chirila, I After the initial moves 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 0-0 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 Qa5:

We reached a popular line but without taking on d4 which we will examine in the next game. Black was doing OK, but I am not sure that White chose the right plan.

The opening moves in Matlakov, M - Xu, Xiangyu were the same as in the previous game, but after 10.Be3 Black took on d4 10...cxd4 and after 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qa3 we come to the main plan in this system.

An interesting practical game, but I added some analysis as well in other options.


Grünfeld Exchange 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qc2 [D85]

In Andreikin, D - Dubov, D after8...Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Qc2 we reach another very popular line for White in which Black has serious problems finding anything but chances to fight for a draw.

However, here Black came up with an interesting pawn sacrifice that is worth analyzing.


Grünfeld Exchange 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.h4 [D87]

In Chigaev, M - Nepomniachtchi, I White opted for the unpopular, but rather venomous, line after 7...c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.h4!?:

A sharp game in which White outplayed one of the leading Grünfeld players, had an advantage, then a forced win, but the game ended in a draw anyway. This line is not as simple for Black as one might think.



Grünfeld 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 [D90]

Indjic, A - Preotu, R featured a very sharp line that still has a lot of hidden possibilities. In the analysis I have given some sharp ideas that are not possible to find in other openings I think. After 5...dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 we came to this position:

White soon offerred his rook, which Black refused, but then Whote insisted!.



Grünfeld Defence Russian system 7...Nc6 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 [D97]

After the initial moves Santos Latasa, J - Issabayev, DBlack played 7...Nc6 and there followed 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 Nd4 10.Nxd4 cxd4 11.Qxd4 c6:

Actually Black sacrificed some more pawns but missed a chance to reach good play


Grünfeld Defence Russian system 7...a6 8.e5 Nfd7 [D97]

In Firouzja, A - So, W we saw a rare guest in recent times, as after 7...a6 8.e5 Black opted for 8...Nfd7 instead of the usual 8...b5.

However, Black got a good game very fast. Of course, I analyzed some other aspects that might be more critical for the evaluation of this line.



Till next month, best wishes Milos.

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