The Grünfeld exchange sacrifice is lesson 6 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 5: master sacrifices, an opening course suited to players rated around 2100 (strong club players). Grünfeld Defence, Exchange Variation, D89. White gives the rook on a1 for the Grünfeld bishop. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Grünfeld Exchange. Black's bishop on g7 is Black's best piece. White's centre is strong, and Black's bishop on e6 blocks the d-pawn. About 40,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
d5! The pawn hits the bishop on e6. Black can take the rook on a1, but then the dark squares around Black's king are weak.
After Bxa1 and Qxa1, f6 closes the long diagonal. White has a powerful centre and attacking chances for the exchange. The engines call it equal.
Recap.
In the Grünfeld, the bishop on g7 is Black's best piece.
d5 offers the rook to remove it.
After Bxa1 and Qxa1, the dark squares are weak.
White's centre is worth the exchange.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Grünfeld Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The bishop on e6 blocks your d-pawn. Push it, and offer the rook on a1.
Black does not take the rook. The bishop goes back to d7. Save the rook now.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Grünfeld Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Be6. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The bishop on e6 blocks your d-pawn. Push it, and offer the rook on a1. That is the exchange sacrifice. Black's best bishop is gone, and White's queen rules the long diagonal.
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