Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6
Leningrad Variation
1.2.3.
What Is The Leningrad Variation?
The Leningrad Variation crosses the Dutch with the King's Indian: Black follows 1...f5 with g6 and Bg7 and plays for the e5 break. Everything in Black's setup serves one goal, forcing e5 and turning the f-pawn into the spearhead of a kingside attack. The fianchettoed bishop rakes the long diagonal and the f5 pawn controls e4.
White fianchettoes too, grabs space with c4 and Nc3, and targets what f5 left behind: the e6 square and the h5-e8 diagonal. Games hinge on the timing of that break. Prepare it properly and Black gets a full-board initiative, rush it and dxe5 leaves a permanent hole on e6 for a white knight. Black's queen goes to e8 to support the push, and the c8 bishop stays passive, the price of the setup.
The Named Lines Of The Leningrad Variation
| Line | Moves |
|---|---|
| Carlsbad Variation | 1.d4 f5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nh3 |
| Warsaw Variation | 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 c6 |
| Matulovic Variation | 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 Nc6 |