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

Dutch Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppppp1pp/8/5p2/3P4/8/PPP1PPPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. d4 f5
ECO code: A80-A99
Parent: Queen's Pawn Opening

1...f5 - Dutch Defence

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

Approximate chances

White win 36%, Draw 42.1%, Black win 29.1%.

Theory table

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.

References

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

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.