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1.Nf3 f5 2.d3

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Spiffe

So, the Dutch is supposedly unplayable these days against the Zukertort opening (1.Nf3), ever since Carlsen wrecked Dolmatov in 2004 with 2.d3: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1274856.  Kindermann said as much in his Dutch Leningrad repertoire book, and I've seen the same sentiment elsewhere.

I don't really get why, though.  In hindsight from the view at the end of 2010, it's not so unusual for people to get wrecked by Carlsen, and not all those openings are considered refuted.  Playing through the game, even with Kindermann's annotations, it doesn't leap to my eye what is so wrong with Black's setup.  It seems like there must be somewhere that Black could improve.

I've been so unconvinced that I haven't even ventured down this path from the White side.  Could someone explain what the big problem is?

GMScuzzBall

Black gets [Follow the site TOS that you agreed to, and control the language.- Mod.]

GreenCastleBlock

2...Nc6 seems like a reasonable move to me.  (Intending ...e5 if allowed, otherwise ...e6, ..Nf6 etc. where the early ..Nc6 makes for a weird Classical Dutch but it is a free move after all)

SchmakAttack

Also 4...c5 in this variation is pretty interesting, but 4...Nc6 does look pretty rough indeed...

poucin

Theory changed its mind about this.

Nowadays, 1.Nf3 f5 is seen as playable for black.

As GreenCastle pointed out, black's good set up is to play for e5, so preparing it with Nc6 is a good idea.

The only real problem is that white can transpose into a Vienna (with f4, reverse colors!), so black has to know it...

White can also prevent e5 with d4, then black as a free Nc6 move in dutch. Not sure it helps, but it cannot be bad for black...

This can lead to strange positions, black can play d5 with a curious Stonewall, or plays in classical dutch fashion with e6-Bb4.

White can try to punish with d4-d5 but not sure it is so good :

 

lostpawn247
Fred wrote:

Is there a book for black on 1.Nf3 f5

?

You have 3 options. The Dutch Sidelines book by Mihail Marin, The Modernized Dutch by Adrien Demuth, And the Leningrad Dutch by Vladimir Malaniuk and Petr Marusenko. The Marin book covers the majority of the Anti-Dutch responses that black can face while the other two are covered in all-in-one repertoire books. I'd suggest the Demuth book if you intend to play the 7...c6 Leningrad Dutch and the Malaniuk Book if you play 7...Qe8.

swarminglocusts
I love to see 1. Nf3 and play my Dutch. Most aren’t prepared for it and how often do you see 1. Nf3? Look at a computer evaluation; if it’s .9 or less than 1.0 in the computer evaluation it’s a draw with best play. If it is 1.0 or greater for your opponent it is a loss with best play. I played with it yesterday and did very well. Good luck.