Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line position after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Qc2. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, queen on c2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on e8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, bishop on e7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, pawn on e6, knight on f6, pawn on f5.
Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Qc2. It is classified A98 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Dutch Defense answers 1.d4 with 1...f5, staking a claim to e4 and signalling kingside ambitions from the first move. It is the most aggressive sound reply to the queen's pawn, at the cost of slightly weakening the king's position.
Strategic character
Three distinct systems share the move order: the Stonewall, where Black builds a fixed pawn wall and attacks; the Leningrad, which combines f5 with a kingside fianchetto; and the Classical, a more restrained setup. Each produces genuinely different middlegames.
Who should play it
Attacking players who want to dictate the character of the game with Black rather than react to White's choice.
This line is a variation within the Dutch Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Qc2.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line?
The Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Qc2. It is classified A98 in the ECO system. The Dutch Defense answers 1.d4 with 1...f5, staking a claim to e4 and signalling kingside ambitions from the first move. It is the most aggressive sound reply to the queen's pawn, at the cost of slightly weakening the king's position.
What are the moves of the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line?
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8 8.Qc2. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Alatortsev-Lisitsyn Line good for beginners?
Attacking players who want to dictate the character of the game with Black rather than react to White's choice.