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    Chess Openings

    Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation

    1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d5 · ECO A92

    Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation position after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d5. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on f3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, 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 e6, knight on f6, pawn on d5, pawn on f5.

    Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation 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 d5. It is classified A92 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white 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.

    This position can also be reached by 3 other move orders, including 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.Nc3.

    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 d5.

    Variations continuing from this position

    Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation?
    The Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation 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 d5. It is classified A92 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: Stonewall Variation?
    1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d5. After these moves it is white to move.
    Is the Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation good for beginners?
    Attacking players who want to dictate the character of the game with Black rather than react to White's choice.
    What variations come from the Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation?
    Named continuations include Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation, Botvinnik Variation, Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation, Chekhover Variation. There are 2 named variations reachable from this position in total.