The Grünfeld Formula by Andrew Martin

The story goes that a low-rated player once bravely asked Viktor Korchnoi his advice about what opening to play against a stronger opponent. “Play Grünfeld” was the grumpy reply. “Play Grünfeld against everything apart from 1 e4.” I have no way of verifying this story, but it certainly inspired me to think about whether this was possible and the end result is this new ChessBase course.

Naturally, a universal approach using ...Nf6, ...g7-g6 and ...d7-d5 as the base would be very useful for players of all classes, saving time and energy and promising a fluid, dynamic position. I’ve found Korchnoi’s advice to be mostly true, but there are a few important exceptions when Black can do better than just trot out the Grünfeld Formula. Look out for those differences! This is a course full of opening ideas and suggestions for Black, against all of:
1 b3
1 b4
King’s Indian Attack
1 f4
1 c4
1 Nf3
QP Systems including London, Torre, Trompowski, Barry Attack, Colle, Stonewall.
A comprehensive list!
• Video running time: 6 hours (English)
• Exclusive database with model games

Sample video

1. IntroductionIntroduction
2. Typical Ideas
3. Fluid development
4. Fluid development II
5. Central pawn breaks
6. Central pawn breaks II
7. Active play where possible
8. Off the beaten track I
9. Off the beaten track II
10. 1.b3, b4, f4 and King's Indian Attack
11. 1.b3 g6 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.c4 d5 Game One
12. King's Indian Attack 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.d3 0-0 Intro
13. King's Indian Attack 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.d3 0-0 Game 1
14. King's Indian Attack 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 g6 4.0-0 Bg7 5.d3 0-0 Game 2
15. 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 Game One
16. 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3/e3 Bg7 Intro
17. 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 Game 1
18. 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 Game 2
19. English and Reti
20. 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 e5 Game 1
21. 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 e5 Game 2
22. 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 e5 Game 3
23. 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 e5 Outro
24. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 e5 Game 1
25. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 e5 Game 2
26. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 e5 Outro
27. Barry Attack
28. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3/Qd2
29. Barry Game One
30. Barry Game Two
31. Barry Game Three
32. Barry Game Four
33. Barry Game Five
34. Barry Game Six
35. Barry Game Seven
36. Barry Game Eight
37. London System
38. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4
39. Jobava London Game One
40. Jobava London Game Two
41. Jobava London Game Three
42. Jobava London Game Four
43. Jobava London Extra Game
44. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4
45. Proper London System Game One
46. Veresov, Colle and Torre
47. Veresov 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 g6 Game One
48. Veresov 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 g6 Game Two
49. Colle 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 d5 Game One
50. Torre 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Game One
51. Torre 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Game Two
52. Torre 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Game Three
53. Trompowksy
54. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5
55. Trompowsky Game One
56. Trompowsky Game Two
57. Trompowsky Game Three
58. Trompowsky Game Four