Dutch DefenseA97

Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation

1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Qe8

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. d4d4 occupies the center.
... f5f5 controls e4.
2. c4c4 controls d5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
3. g3g3 repositions the pawn.
... e6e6 controls d5.
4. Bg2Bg2 develops the bishop and controls e4 and d5.
... Be7Be7 develops the bishop.
5. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
6. O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
... d6d6 controls e5.
7. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Qe8Qe8 repositions the queen.

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Other major variations

The complete Dutch Defense guide See all 69 variations in the branch map

Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation (A97) · Dutch Defense · OpeningMate