A80–A99 Flank openings

Dutch Defense

Black controls e4 with the f-pawn and builds kingside activity from move one.

Best for

Players who want winning chances and are willing to accept dark-square weaknesses.

Study map

Start with one line, then add nearby branches.

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01Dutch DefenseA80 · 1 movenew02Dutch Defense: Alapin VariationA80 · 2 movesnew03Dutch Defense: Hopton AttackA80 · 2 movesnew04Dutch Defense: Korchnoi AttackA80 · 2 movesnew05Dutch Defense: Krejcik GambitA80 · 2 movesnew

Browse all 68 lines

Open the catalogue only when you need a specific branch.

Classical Variation13 lines
Staunton Gambit8 lines
Stonewall Variation7 lines
Leningrad Variation5 lines
Manhattan Gambit4 lines
Krejcik Gambit2 lines
Main line2 lines
Nimzo-Dutch Variation2 lines
Alapin Variation1 lines

Mix the variations

Practice changing book replies after you know at least 2 lines.

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White's plan

  1. 01 Pressure the weakened e6 and dark squares.
  2. 02 Use g3 and Bg2 against the queenside diagonal.
  3. 03 Open the center before Black's attack grows.

Black's plan

  1. 01 Support e4 control with Nf6.
  2. 02 Choose ...e6 or ...g6 as a coherent setup.
  3. 03 Prepare ...e5 for central activity.

Position fingerprint

The squares that explain the opening

e4 is Black's claim, e5 is the main break, and the e6 and g6 dark squares need care.

Keep the position healthy

Practical habits

  • Develop the kingside before advancing more pawns.
  • Watch the king diagonal after moving the f-pawn.