Dutch Defense (Leningrad Variation): King Side Clout

Position after 16 ... Nd7

The above position contains more opportunities for Black
than for White. Black has a commanding central presence
and real potential for a kingside attack. White's doubled
pawns are a fundamental weakness and his chances for
play are nowhere in sight.If he proceeds passively, Black
will complete development with ... Nf6, ... Be6, and ... Raf8,
after which he will then be ready to strike on the kingside.

17 f3!



The direct elimination of Black's advanced e4-pawn is
White's best course. 17 g4!? is too risky because of
17 ... Nf6! 18 gxf5 d5 (18 ... Bxf5), when Black's
e-pawn is safe whereas White has a seriously
weakened kingside.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LENINGRAD VARIATION

DUTCH DEFENSE (STONEWALL VARIATION)

1 d4 f5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 0-0
6 0-0 d5:



What’s the game plan for White?

White intends to attack Black’s queenside via
c5/cxd5 followed by the maneuvers b2-b4-b5/
a2-a4-a5. Please observe how the g2 bishop
is ideally placed to assist in this assault.
In the center, he wants to break through with
e2-e4. However, he needs to prepare for it by
transferring the f3 knight to d3 followed by
f2-f3.

What’s the game plan for Black?



Black, on the other hand, plans to assail
White’s kingside by way of … Nf6-e4, ... g5,
... Qe8 and ... Qh5. However, if White preludes
his queenside attack with c5 instead of cxd5,
Black should give preference to the counter-
thrust ... e5. Please bear in mind that the
"bad" c8 bishop could become a liability in
the endgame. That’s why a third plan is to
develop it via ... b6, ... Bb7 and ... c5.
Another weakness in Black’s position is e5.
White therefore frequently plays Bf4, keeping
the square under observation and preventing
... e6-e5.