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1.Opening

Dutch Defense

You play BlackA88AggressiveIntermediate

Grab e4 from the side with ...f5. Unbalanced from move one, with kingside attacking chances.

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.O-O O-O …

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Leningrad Variation: position after 8 moves1h2g3f4e5d6c7b8a
Leningrad Variation: position after 8 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. ...f5 controls e4 and plans a kingside attack.
  2. Leningrad setup: ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6, ...O-O.
  3. ...Qe8 prepares ...e5 and can swing to h5.
3.Main line

Main line · 16 moves

Leningrad Variation

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
d4White claims the center.
f5The Dutch: control e4 from the side, like a Sicilian against 1.d4.
2
g3White plans Bg2 to fight for e4 and the long diagonal.
Nf6Develops and adds control of e4.
3
Bg2The bishop on the long diagonal eyes e4 and b7.
g6The Leningrad: Black fianchettoes too.
After 3…g6
After 3…g6
No. White Black4
Nf3Develops and covers e5.
Bg7The bishop on the long diagonal, pointing at d4.
5
O-OWhite castles.
O-OBlack castles.
6
c4Gains queenside space.
d6Prepares ...e5, Black's main central break.
After 6…d6
After 6…d6
No. White Black7
Nc3Develops and fights for e4.
Qe8Supports ...e5 and can later swing to h5 or f7 for a kingside attack.
8
d5Gains space and makes ...e5 less attractive (it would give White e6).
a5Secures c5 for a knight via ...Na6–c5.
After 8…a5
After 8…a5
4.Play

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5.More

More defenses against 1.d4