Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation

The move d4 is played by White in this opening to control the center of the board and limit Black's options. This pawn move also opens up lines for the bishop and queen to become more active. By playing d4, White aims to create pawn pressure and a potential attack on Black's position.

Black plays Nf6 in response to d4 in order to immediately challenge White's control of the central squares. This move puts pressure on the pawn at d4 and prepares to develop Black's pieces towards the center of the board. The knight on f6 also threatens the pawn at e4, forcing White to defend it or risk losing it. In sum, Nf6 is a common and solid response to White's opening move.

White plays the move c4 to further strengthen their control over the center of the board, and to prepare to develop their pieces towards the center. This move also puts pressure on the knight at f6, forcing Black to move it and give up control of the center, or to exchange it for White's pawn on c4. By playing c4, White is also preparing to develop their queen's bishop and preparing an attack on the queenside. In general, c4 is a solid and flexible move in the opening, which allows for various possibilities in the future.

In the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation, Black often plays g6 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 to prepare to fianchetto their bishop and put pressure on White's center from the flank. The pawn at g6 also offers more protection to Black's knight on f6 and prepares to castle kingside. By playing g6, Black is also preventing White from playing a pawn to g4 and creating an attack on Black's king. In general, g6 is a flexible and useful move for Black in the opening.

White plays Nf3 in this opening to develop their knight towards the center and increase their control over the board. This move also prepares to castle kingside, and potentially allows for the development of the queen's bishop to e3 or g5. By playing Nf3, White is also preventing Black's knight on f6 from being exchanged and removing pressure from White's center. Nf3 is a standard and flexible move in the opening, which allows for potential variations in the future.

Black develops their bishop to g7 in order to fianchetto it and strengthen their hold on the long diagonal. This move allows Black's bishop to control the center and put pressure on White's knight on f3. By playing Bg7, Black is also preparing to castle kingside and connect their rooks. In some variations, the bishop on g7 can be used to support a potential pawn break in the center with moves such as d5. In sum, Bg7 is a flexible and useful move in the opening.

In the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation, White often plays g3 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 to prepare to fianchetto their own bishop and control the diagonal. This move also supports White's control over the center by preparing to develop the pawn to d4. By playing g3, White is also preparing to castle kingside and providing a safe square for their king. In some variations, the pawn at g3 can be used to prepare a potential pawn push to f4, creating pressure on Black's bishop on g7. In sum, g3 is a flexible move for White in this opening.

Black plays O-O after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 to castle their king and improve its safety. This move also connects the rooks and prepares to bring the queen into the game. By castling kingside, Black is also potentially preparing to push their pawn to h5 and create a pawn storm attack against White's king. In some variations, castling can also allow Black to advance their pawns on the queenside and create counterplay. In sum, O-O is a standard and useful move in the opening.

White plays Bg2 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O to develop their bishop and control the long diagonal. This move also prepares to castle kingside and supports White's central pawn structure. By playing Bg2, White is also potentially preparing to create pressure on Black's position by advancing their pawns to e4 and d5. The bishop on g2 can also potentially support a future attack on Black's king. In general, Bg2 is a standard and flexible move in the opening.

In the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation, Black often plays d5 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 to challenge White's control over the center and open up lines for Black's pieces. This pawn move also potentially creates a passed pawn and puts pressure on White's pawn at c4. By playing d5, Black is also preparing to develop their queen's knight to c6 and potentially create pressure on White's pawn at e4. In some variations, d5 can also prepare a potential pawn break with c5, further challenging White's center. In sum, d5 is a flexible and useful move for Black in the opening.

White plays cxd5 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 to exchange the pawn on d5 and potentially open up lines for their pieces. This move also aims to create pawn pressure on Black's knight at d5 and weaken Black's pawn structure. By playing cxd5, White is also preparing to potentially create a passed pawn on the d-file or attack Black's position with a central pawn push. In some variations, the pawn capture at d5 can also potentially create a weakness on White's queenside. In sum, cxd5 is a standard and flexible move in the opening.

Black plays Nxd5 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 to capture the pawn and potentially open up lines for their pieces. This move also develops the knight towards the center of the board and puts pressure on White's pawn at c4. By playing Nxd5, Black is also potentially preparing to develop their pieces towards the center with moves like e6 and Ng4. In some variations, capturing the pawn at d5 can also create a weakness on Black's queenside. In sum, Nxd5 is a flexible and useful move for Black in the opening.

In the Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Delayed Exchange Variation, White often plays O-O after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 to develop their king and connect the rooks. By castling kingside, White is also potentially creating a safer position for their king in anticipation of any future attacks. Moreover, this move also frees up the rook on h1, which may become relevant in some variations. In general, O-O is a standard and flexible move for White in this opening.

Black plays Nb6 after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O to develop their knight towards an active position and potentially create pressure on White's pawn at c4. This move also prepares to potentially capture the bishop on c1, and allows Black's knight to participate in a possible pawn push with c5 or an attack on White's pawn on e4. By playing Nb6, Black is also potentially preparing to create pressure on White's pawn on d4 with moves like Nc6 and e5. In sum, Nb6 is a flexible and useful move for Black in the opening.