Dutch Defence
Learn the Dutch Defence by playing the moves. Practise the Leningrad, the Stonewall, the Classical setup and the critical anti-Dutch tries one line at a time.
Best for: Attacking players · ECO A80-A99 · First moves: 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6
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Position after the Dutch Defence setup
Common replies
Standard lines you'll meet most of the time. Begin with the recommended leningrad main line, then work through the rest.
Leningrad Main Line
The full Leningrad development scheme and how the g7 bishop supports the ...e5 break.
The core Leningrad setup with ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...d6 against White's fianchetto.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6…
Leningrad 7...Qe8
Why ...Qe8 is the key Leningrad move and how it prepares the central break.
The main Leningrad move, clearing d8 and preparing ...e5 in one go. Black keeps the kingside fianchetto pressure while lining up active central counterplay.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6…
Leningrad 7...c6
How ...c6 keeps both ...d5 and ...e5 available and blunts White's queenside play.
A flexible Leningrad setup preparing ...Qc7 or ...d5 with a solid centre.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6…
Classical Main Line
The Ilyin-Zhenevsky development scheme and the ...Qe8 and ...e5 plan.
The classical setup with ...e6, ...Be7 and ...d6 aiming for the ...e5 break.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Modern Stonewall
The modern Stonewall structure and why the bishop belongs on d6.
The modern Stonewall with the bishop on d6 rather than the passive e7 square.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Classical Stonewall
The classical Stonewall move order and how to reach it via 1...e6.
The older Stonewall treatment with the bishop on e7 and a solid, slow build-up.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6…
2.Nc3 d5
How to steer 2.Nc3 lines into a familiar Stonewall.
Black takes the centre at once with ...d5 and heads for a Stonewall structure.
1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 Nf6…
2.Bf4 London Setup
A clean setup against the London System treatment of the Dutch.
White meets the Dutch with a London System style build-up. Black develops calmly with ...e6 and ...Be7, keeping the position solid before choosing the central break.
1. d4 f5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6…
Fianchetto without c4
How to reach the Stonewall against slower White move orders.
White fianchettoes but delays c4, and Black builds the Stonewall regardless.
1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6…
2.Nf3 Classical
How the main Dutch move orders transpose into the Classical system.
White develops naturally with Nf3 and Black plays the Classical setup.
1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Sharper options
More aggressive or off-beat lines. Add these once the main setup feels natural.
Staunton Gambit
How to defuse the Staunton Gambit and hold the extra pawn safely.
White sacrifices a pawn with 2.e4 for fast development and open lines.
1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6…
Staunton Gambit Balogh
The safe, structure-first way to answer the Staunton Gambit.
Black answers the Staunton Gambit with ...c6, reinforcing the centre before accepting more material. Solid development matters more than greed in this sharp sideline.
1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6…
Hopton Attack
How to punish the early 2.Bg5 sortie with a direct kingside advance.
The annoying 2.Bg5 is met by the direct ...h6 and ...g5 kickback. Black grabs space immediately and asks White's bishop where it really belongs.
1. d4 f5 2. Bg5 h6 3. Bh4 g5…
2.Nc3 Sidelines
How to meet 2.Nc3 and accept the doubled f-pawns for the bishop pair.
White develops with 2.Nc3 aiming for a quick e4 break. Black responds by controlling e4, accepting doubled f-pawns only when the structure remains solid.
1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 d5…
Advanced hybrids
Structurally different lines for established players. Best learned after the main setup is automatic.
Leningrad d5 Space Grab
How to meet White's space grab with queenside counterplay.
White gains space with d5 and Black counters on the queenside with ...a5.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6…
Leningrad Matulovic
The ...Nc6 and ...Na5 plan that pressures c4 in the Leningrad.
Black develops the knight to c6 early, inviting d5 and the ...Na5 hop.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6…
Classical Ne4
How the ...Ne4 outpost changes the character of the Classical Dutch.
Black plants a knight on e4 immediately to fight for the centre. White must decide whether to challenge the outpost or develop around it.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Stonewall 7.Bf4
How to handle the exchange of dark-squared bishops in the Stonewall.
White challenges the key d6 bishop and Black accepts the trade. The Stonewall remains solid, but Black must prove the light-squared bishop is not missed.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Stonewall with ...b6
How to activate Black's light-squared bishop in the Stonewall.
Black solves the problem bishop with ...b6 and a queenside fianchetto or ...Ba6.
1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6…
Hopton with ...g6
How to reach a normal Leningrad even when White plays an early Bg5.
A calmer answer to 2.Bg5, ignoring the bishop and completing the Leningrad setup.
1. d4 f5 2. Bg5 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7…
Learn more about the Dutch Defence
12 sections covering move order, plans, structures, who it suits, and more.
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Another defence for Black
King's Indian Defence
A hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre, then strikes back with ...e5 or ...c5. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 becomes a powerful long-range weapon.
Pair this with an opening for White
London System
A solid d4 opening where White develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 early, building a resilient pawn triangle on c3-d4-e3. Low on theory and high on plans, making it an ideal weapon at all levels.
Try next
Ruy Lopez
The king of 1.e4 openings - White develops the bishop to b5, pressuring the knight that defends e5. A cornerstone of top-level chess, it leads to deep strategic battles from slow manoeuvring to explosive attacks.
Practise the Dutch Defence against real opponents
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