Grünfeld Exchange: 7.Nf3 c5 8.Rb1 is variation 5 of 6 in the Against the King's Indian and Grünfeld course, a advanced opening course for White (ECO D85). It runs 27 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 …. White builds the big centre with e4 and supports it with the knight. The rook goes to b1 before castling. If Black grabs the a2 pawn, White gets fast development and a strong centre for it. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Black develops.
2. c4 – White gains space.
2... g6 – Black prepares the fianchetto.
3. Nc3 – White develops and supports e4.
3... d5 – The Grünfeld Defence. Black hits the centre at once.
4. cxd5 – The Exchange Variation. White takes on d5 to build a big centre with e4.
4... Nxd5 – Black takes back with the knight.
5. e4 – White chases the knight and takes the centre.
5... Nxc3 – Black trades knights. White's pawn comes to c3 and supports d4.
6. bxc3 – White takes back. Now White has pawns on c3, d4 and e4.
6... Bg7 – The bishop aims at the d4 pawn.
7. Nf3 – The Modern Exchange. The knight guards d4.
7... c5 – Black attacks d4 with a pawn too.
8. Rb1 – The rook leaves the long diagonal and attacks the b7 pawn.
8... O-O – Black castles and leaves b7 for now.
The lesson goes on for 11 more moves, each with its explanation.
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