Neo-Grünfeld Defense

The Neo-Grünfeld arises when White delays the queen's knight, which would normally develop to c3, and places the king's knight on f3 first. White often prepares g3 and Bg2. Black develops the bishop to g7 and advances the queen's pawn to d5 to challenge the center immediately.

Black does not try to occupy the whole center with pawns. Black allows White to gain space and then attacks the center's support with the g7-bishop and the c-pawn. White seeks sound development and central control; pawn exchanges determine whether the game becomes open and tactical or slower.

In the classical Grünfeld, White's queen's knight is normally already on c3 when Black plays d5. In the Neo-Grünfeld, that knight is delayed, avoiding some immediate lines and allowing fianchetto structures. It is a family of move orders, not one sequence, and it can connect with the Réti Opening.