Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...f5/2. c4

Dutch Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppppp1pp/8/5p2/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1. d4 f5 2. c4

Dutch Defence

Towards this move black has basically two typical set ups and one theory based opening.

• One is a fortress like position with pawn structure f5-e6-d5. This is called the Stonewall defence. This type of position is considered solid, but perhaps too static.
• A dynamic choice is a Leningrad setup. The pawn structure is practically always g6-f5-d6. Black plays in this system, with only a few rare exceptions, his bishop to g7, knight to f6, and castles quickly.
• The more theoretical approach is the Bladel. Black plays Nh6 which allows white to play e4 and transforms the Dutch into an semi open game. Black delays to castle and instead fights for the center with c6 ... followed by d5. White trades off a center pawn for side pawn. White seeks to deliver an early checkmate in the middle game. Black has an additional center pawn which has proven to be a significant advantage in the end game.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 f5 2. c4

	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leningrad	... g6	g3 Nf6	Bg2 Bg7	Nf3 O-O	O-O d6	Nc3 Qe8	=
Stonewall Defence	c4 e6	g3 Nf6	Bg2 Be7	Nf3 O-O	O-O d5	Nc3 Qe8	=
	... Nf6
Bladel	.. g6	Nc3 Nh6	e4 fxe4	Nxe4 Bg7	Nf3 c6	Bd3 d5	=

References

• Example from 1989 of play in main line by current world champion Vladimir Kramnik
• Example from 1992 of play in main line by Veselin Topalov
• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.