Jump to content

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

From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
Dutch Defence
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black pawnf7 black kingg7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black pawng5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 white pawne4 black kingf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 f5
ECO code: A80-A99
Parent: Queen's Pawn Opening

1...f5 - Dutch Defence

[edit | edit source]

The Dutch Defence has a character all of its own in contrast to other 1.d4 openings, which often share similar themes. Black usually plays variously for:

  • A Classical setup with 2...e6 3...d6 4...Be7,
  • A Stonewall with 2...e6 3...d5 4...c6, or
  • The Leningrad with 2...g6 3...Bg7 4...d6.

White usually plays 2. g3 or 2. c4 here, though many moves are playable.

One interesting though often considered dubious option is the Staunton Gambit with 2. e4, leading to more tactical positions than the positional grinds and straightforward attacks that the Dutch usually provides.

Because Black responds to 1.d4 with f5, breaking the symmetry, the Dutch is an example of a Semi-Closed Game. This means one player, but not both, has a fixed pawn in the center which implies that the center will be somewhat (but not completely) closed. The main purpose of the f5 push is to take control of the e4 square. The idea behind f5, typically followed by Nf6, is to prevent white from playing e4. However, white has several options that allow them to play e4 anyway. One way to achieve this is the Staunton Gambit where the move is simply played immediately. The Bladel Variation and the Raphael Variation are more sophisticated ways of playing e4. In most of these lines white plays Nc3 followed by e4.

Statistics

[edit | edit source]
Approximate chances
White win 36%, Draw 42.1%, Black win 29.1%.[1]

Theory table

[edit | edit source]

1. d4 f5

  2 3 4 5 6 7 Evaluation Notes
Stonewall Defence c4
Nf6
g3
e6
Bg2
Be7
Nf3
O-O
O-O
d6
Nc3
Qe8
= The Stonewall fights for central control, by taking control over the light squares. White seeks to exploit weaknesses among the dark squares
Leningrad Defence c4
Nf6
g3
g6
Bg2
Bg7
Nf3
O-O
O-O
d6
Nc3
Qe8
= A very dynamic choice by black to fight for the e5 push. If white allows that, a king side attack by black is possible.
g3
Nf6
Bg2
g6
Nf3
Bg7
O-O
O-O
b3
d6
Bb2
Ne4
=
Hopton Attack Bg5
g6
Nc3
d5
h4
Bg7
e3
c6
e4
O-O
Nf3
Be6
+/= A very aggressive way by white to attack. But black will be able to equalize later on
Staunton Gambit e4
fxe4
Nc3
Nf6
Bg5
Nc6
d5
Ne5
Qd4
Nf7
Bxf6
exf6
+/= This is by far the most popular choice by white. Black will have to know a lot of theory in order to equalize.
Exchange Variation Nf3
Nf6
Bg5
e6
Nbd2
Be7
Bxf6
Bxf6
e4
d5
exd5
exd5
+/= The Exchange Variation leads to semi open games. There are tactical opportunities for both sides.
Krejcik Gambit g4
fxg5
h3
d5
hxg4
Bxg4
Bg2
Nf6
Bg5
Qd7
+/= The Krejcik Gambit leads to sharp positions. Most of the time both sides will castle long.
Krejcik Gambit, Hevendehl Counter Gambit g4
e5
+/= A unique counter gambit. White has two ways to accept it.
Krejcik Gambit, Hevendehl Counter Gambit, Belgian Line g4
e5
gxf5
...
+/= Sharp and tactical.
Krejcik Gambit, Hevendehl Counter Gambit, Dutch Line g4
e5
dxf5
...
+/= Sharp and tactical
Korchnoi Attack h3
...
+/= Leads to a mix between positional and tactical lines.
Korchnoi Attack, closed h3
e5
+/= Leads to more positonal lines.
Korchnoi Attack, semi closed h3
e6
+/= Leads to more tactical lines.
Bladel Defence c4
g6
Nc3
Nh6
+/= Leads to rich positions which are also very theoretical.
Raphael Variation Nc3

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

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References

[edit | edit source]
  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.