Exchange Variation: Modern 7.Nf3 and 8.Rb1 is variation 2 of 6 in the Grünfeld Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO D85). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 …. White develops with Nf3 and Rb1, pressing on b7. Black hits d4, checks on a5 and grabs the a2 pawn, then develops quickly with ...Bg4 while White uses the extra space. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White occupies the centre.
1... Nf6 – Develops and controls e4.
2. c4 – Gains space.
2... g6 – Prepares ...Bg7.
3. Nc3 – Develops and prepares e4.
3... d5 – The Grünfeld challenge to c4.
4. cxd5 – Exchanges to gain time against the knight.
4... Nxd5 – Recaptures.
5. e4 – Kicks the knight and builds the centre.
5... Nxc3 – Trades knights to make c3 a target.
6. bxc3 – Recaptures toward the centre.
6... Bg7 – Aims at c3 and d4.
7. Nf3 – Develops and defends d4 with a piece.
7... c5 – Hits d4 at once.
8. Rb1 – Puts the rook on the half-open b-file against b7 and gets it off the long diagonal.
8... O-O – Castles; the b7 pawn is indirectly protected because Rxb7 would let ...Bxc3+ win material.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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