What Neo-Grünfeld Defense puts on the board
Material is level, with white to move.
White has central pawns on d4; Black has central pawns on d5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
What White is trying to build
Use the central pawn mass, but be ready to spend tempi defending it.
Develop pieces to support d4 and exploit the space advantage.
How Black challenges it
Attack d4 with the g7 bishop, …c5 and active piece pressure.
Prefer activity against the centre over passive occupation of it.
The tactical pattern to recognise
The d4 pawn is repeatedly attacked along the long diagonal.
A timely …c5 or …e5 can dissolve White’s centre.
What to check before committing
Advancing the centre beyond the pieces that support it.
Trading active pieces and leaving White an uncontested centre.
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