Dutch Defense

The Dutch Defence begins with 1.d4 f5 — an immediate flank pawn move that controls e4 and signals the kingside attack as the main plan. The opening is named after the Netherlands but was already mentioned in older Spanish chess treatises of the 16th century. It is considered unusual and has high surprise value, especially at amateur level.

The three main systems are: Leningrad (f5, g6, ♝g7), Classical (f5, e6, ♝e7, d6) and Stonewall (f5, e6, d5, c6).

With f7-f5 Black immediately controls e4 and prepares a kingside attack. The early f5 has a price, however: it weakens the e6 square and opens the possibility of the e2-e4 break (after preparation). In the Stonewall system Black builds a very solid but passive fortress with pawns on d5, e6, f5 and c6. The Leningrad system with the fianchetto on g7 is more aggressive and modern.

In the Stonewall after 2.♞f3 e6 3.g3 ♞f6 4.♝g2 d5 5.O-O ♝e7 6.c4 c6 both sides develop compactly. White uses the half-open e- and c-files, Black plays for a kingside attack with ♞e4 and g5. In the Leningrad (2.c4 g6 3.♞c3 ♞f6 4.g3 ♝g7 5.♝g2 O-O) a dynamic position arises with play on both wings.