Grunfeld-like openings against e4

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Avatar of HolyCrusader5

I've been having a lot of success with the Grunfeld defense and I am looking for an opening similar to that against e4.

Avatar of FrogCDE

The Sicilian dragon seems the most appropriate - sharp, counter-attacking, highly theoretical, with a fianchettoed bishop on g7 raking the queenside. Rather you than me, though!

Avatar of ThrillerFan

I would say the Alekhine for the exact reason that I hate the Alekhine and Grunfeld.

 

Both openings involve White getting the big, mobile center where Black's idea is that White is over-extended and attacks the White center with pieces.

 

When you talk about the 5 types of center - Blocked, Mobile, Static, Open, and Dynamic, the Grunfeld and Alekhine are literally the main sources of the Mobile Center.

 

The type of center is exactly the reason for my combination of choices as Black, the French and the King's Indian Defense, the two main defenses that most often result in the Blocked Center.

 

So the Alekhine is pretty much your answer if you are a Grunfeld fanatic, literally the two openings I hate most in the game of chess!

Avatar of HolyCrusader5

What would you recommend as white?

Avatar of ThrillerFan
HolyCrusader5 wrote:

What would you recommend as white?

 

There is no White equivalent unless you want to do something whacko like the Elshad System (1.c3/2.Qh4) where Black gets a mobile center.

 

It's just like how I have no equivalent to the French and King's Indian.  Playing White is a different beast!

Avatar of kindaspongey
HolyCrusader5 wrote:

What would you recommend as white?

Maybe the Catalan?

Avatar of HolyCrusader5

That's great actually because I have begun to play the Catalan.

Avatar of StevieG65
Alekhine is definitely a good match for Gruenfeld. Arguably, it is just not as good, since white has not wasted a tempo on c4. As white, Catalan is structurally similar, but I would recommend 1.e4 mainlines as being similar in attitude.
Avatar of Luskojs
Is there Any opening like the grünfeld that gives you a fianchetto but a safe king against e4.