Chess Openings Lab
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Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation

The Stockholm Variation is 4.Bg5 against the Grünfeld, pinning nothing but attacking the f6 knight that defends d5. Black can ignore it with ...Bg7, kick it with ...Ne4, or play ...c6, while White hopes to take on f6 and win the d5 pawn.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5
ECO
D80
Engine
+0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
468 games in our lichess sample
White scores
54.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Bxf6 removes the defender of d5, then cxd5 wins a pawn unless Black has a gambit ready.
  • After 4...Ne4, play cxd5 and win the pawn back if Black takes the bishop.
  • Keep the knight on c3 to support d5 pressure.
  • Play e3 and g3 for solid development if Black defends d5 well.

Black

  • 4...Bg7 lets White take on f6 and d5, then ...c5 gives Black quick development as a gambit.
  • 4...Ne4 hits the bishop and offers trades; this is the Lundin Variation.
  • 4...c6 holds d5 and keeps the center solid.
  • Use the bishop pair after Bxf6 to open lines.

Plans and pawn structure

White aims to remove Black's f6 knight and win the d5 pawn. Black either gives the pawn for the bishop pair and quick ...c5 play, or kicks the bishop with ...Ne4. If Black plays ...c6, White can take on f6 and leave Black with doubled f-pawns, but Black gets the bishop pair. The game is flexible and less theoretical than main Grünfeld lines.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.18 4...Bg7 5.Bxf6 Bxf6 6.cxd5 c5 7.dxc5
  2. +0.19 4...Ne4 5.cxd5 Nxg5 6.h4 Ne4 7.Nxe4
  3. +0.42 4...c6 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Bxf6 exf6 7.e3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

468 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.7%.

1200–159952.2%
1600–199955.3%
2000 and up56.7%

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

Where it goes next

  • Lundin Variation4...Ne4 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play 4...Bg7 and after Bxf6 Bxf6 cxd5, hit back with ...c5 for activity. Or play 4...Ne4. Avoid passive moves that let White win d5 for free.

Questions

What are the moves of the Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation?

The Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5. Its ECO code is D80.

Is the Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 468 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.7%. A practical line for White players who want to avoid main theory, while Black needs to know the ...c5 gambit idea.

What is the main idea of the Grünfeld Defense: Stockholm Variation?

White attacks the knight on f6 to undermine d5. Black can give the pawn for the bishop pair with ...Bg7 and ...c5 or kick the bishop with ...Ne4.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg7, with Ne4 and c6 close behind. 4...Bg7 develops and accepts that White may take on f6, aiming for quick ...c5 play.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.