Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense

The Anglo-Grünfeld Defense is 2...d5 after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3, a Grünfeld-style strike before White has played d4. White can take on d5 and kick the knight with e4, while Black plans ...g6, ...Bg7 and pressure on the long diagonal.

Moves
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5
ECO
A16
Engine
+0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
662 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4 gains a tempo on the knight. Since d4 is not played yet, the e-pawn arrives with no help needed.
  • After ...Nxc3 and bxc3, White owns a big center with c3, e4 and a later d4.
  • The top engine line continues with h4, using the h-pawn to bother Black's fianchetto.
  • 3.d4 transposes to a Grünfeld proper if you know that theory and want it.

Black

  • After 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4, trade with ...Nxc3 and aim the g7-bishop at the c3 and d4 squares.
  • Play ...g6 and ...Bg7 early. The bishop is Black's best piece against White's pawn center.
  • ...c5 strikes at d4 in many lines and opens the c-file for a rook.
  • If White plays quietly with e3, a calm ...e6 and ...c5 setup works as well.

Plans and pawn structure

In the main line, White builds the center with e4 and later d4, puts the bishop on c4 or e2, and uses h4-h5 against Black's fianchetto. Black does not fight for the center with pawns first; the bishop on g7, ...c5 and ...Nc6 target d4 until it cracks. The doubled c-pawns after bxc3 give White central support but also a target on c3 in an endgame. Most games turn on whether White's center rolls forward or gets broken down.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.28: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.28 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.e4 Nxc3 5.bxc3 g6
  2. +0.21 3.d4 c5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nxc3
  3. +0.12 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 a6 5.d4 c5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

662 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.5%.

1200–159952.9%
1600–199950.6%
2000 and up45.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Anglo-Grünfeld Defense, Korchnoi Variation3.cxd5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take on d5 and play e4 at once; giving Black time for ...g6 and ...Bg7 before e4 eases Black's game. As Black, do not retreat the knight passively; trade on c3, fianchetto, and hit the center with ...c5. Keep an eye on h4-h5 and do not castle into it without counterplay.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense?

The English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense starts 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5. Its ECO code is A16.

Is the English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 662 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.5%. A good fit for Grünfeld players who want the same pawn structures from the English, though White's e4 version can be sharp.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense?

Black meets the English with an early ...d5, as in the Grünfeld. White usually takes on d5 and gains a tempo with e4, and Black answers with ...Nxc3, ...g6 and ...Bg7 against the center.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd5, with d4 and e3 close behind. 3.cxd5 opens the center and prepares 4.e4, gaining time on the d5 knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.