Dutch Defence: Leningrad: moves, ideas and plans

Black answers 1.d4 with ...f5 to control e4, then fianchettoes like in the King's Indian.

A89Play it as BlackAdvanced14 moves

Main line: 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6

Key ideas

...f5 controls e4 and prepares kingside play.
The g7 bishop supports ...e5 later.
...Nc6 and ...e5 is the standard way to fight for the centre.

After 2… Nf6

After 4… Bg7

After 7… Nc6

The Dutch Defence: Leningrad move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as A89 Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation.

1. d4Centre.
1… f5The Dutch: control of e4.
2. g3White fianchettoes against the Dutch.
2… Nf6Development.
3. Bg2The bishop aims at d5 and e4.
3… g6The Leningrad setup.
4. Nf3Development.
4… Bg7The bishop on the long diagonal.
5. O-OWhite castles.
5… O-OBlack castles.
6. c4White grabs space.
6… d6Prepares ...e5.
7. Nc3More control of e4 and d5.
7… Nc6The Matulovic line: the knight supports ...e5, Black's main central break.

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More openings for Black

Sicilian Najdorf

Black's fighting answer to 1.e4. Unbalanced positions where Black plays for a win.

French Defence

A solid defence: Black accepts less space in return for a strong chain and counter-play against White's centre.

Caro-Kann Defence

Solid and sound. Black gets the c8 bishop out before playing ...e6, avoiding the French's main problem.