Hey folks,

After playing in a Dutch Leningrad-theme tourney, I'm interested in exploring that opening a bit more.  Can anyone recommend a good book, that goes into detail explaining the theory, strategic plans, and variations?  Complete annotated games are a bonus -- that's so much more effective, IMO, than something that gives a 15-move variation and ends with a comment like, "White has a slight advantage."  Thanks, I can get that from MCO.

Seems like Understanding the Leningrad Dutch by Valeri Beim is the most popular; it's available on many sites.  However, Silman's review indicated that it doesn't cover the 7...Nc6 lines, which seems a pretty big shortcoming.  I've liked those lines, to the extent that I've played them.

Leningrad System: A Complete Weapon Against 1.d4 by Stefan Kindermann looked interesting -- does anyone have that one?  What about the McDonald or Hall books?  Anyone to recommend any of these?  Thanks in advance.

I do not play the Dutch but friends of mine who do (and are around 2200 FIDE) really like the Kindermann book, Not sure when it was published so it may be a little dated and you will have to supplement with current games but it came to me highly recommended. Beim ( another strong GM) has a book on it as well. I like his other books and writing style so i am guessing that is pretty good as well.

You have to be careful when lumping every 'Dutch,' into the Leningrad format. The Dutch is a system not just the Leningrad. It is one of the most complex systems to play. If you want to play a Dutch System you will need more then one book and lot's of postional knowledge before entering. This may sound complicated or even depressing but you must understand the territory before entering. Possible books are:

1. Dutch Defense Larry Christiansen Chess Digest. Oldie but goodie.

2. The Dutch for the Attacking Player Steffan Pedersen ICE Excellant book.

3. Gambit and Everyman both produce several books on the Dutch for the Classical and Leningrad variations. Cannot recommend must see internet reviews.

Well, I'd prefer the book give at least a little coverage to anti-Dutch systems, but if not, I can live with it.  I see the Dutch as a system where Black picks the variation more than White, though.  I certainly have no interest whatsoever in the Stonewall, for instance, so I would prefer something that doesn't spend a lot of time discussing it.

The Kindermann book is actually the most recent of the bunch (2005), so maybe I'll check that out.  I hate to order a chess book sight-unseen because there's so much crap out there, but it did seem decent from what I've read.

Stefan Kindermann: Lenningrad System

Still the Bible for most Dutchies.

Even better is a good database with constant updates.

Hey, you're in MY theme tournament! Thanks for participating!

For the book advisor's information, this is the line that was used in the tournament:

http://www.chess.com/opening/eco/A86_Dutch_Defense_Leningrad_Variation