Stonewall Attack (Part 6)

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Welcome back to the Stonewall! This won't be the last time (Sorry for saying this is the last in the other blogs). In this special entry, I will talk about using the stonewall against other openings.

 

As white, if you use the Stonewall, if you start out with either d4 or f4, then the responses will vary. I will go over other responses against 1. d4 other then d5, which follows.

 

1. Old benoni (1. d4 c5)

By moving c5, your opponent wants to directly attack your center from the flank. I find this premature, since there hasn't been any support lended to this advance. Ignoring this and continuing your regular stonewall structure with moves like e3 and c3, you will run into potential trouble ahead. If your opponent takes with the c5 pawn, then he/she basically eats up part of your stonewall, which can be susceptible to weaknesses. Best move would be d5, to gain more space. I would lend some support to this with the c and e pawn, and try to close the game up a bit. You can open up some files with aggressive moves after you complete your development.

2. Englund Gambit (1. d4 e5)

 I only see this occasionally, but can sometimes pose a problem. Dealing with this is similar to the Old benoni. Just advance and grab space. Once again, you shouldn't let your opponent take the d pawn because you'd be susceptible to weaknesses later. I wouldn't accept the Gambit, as the pawn is very difficult to hold onto. Letting it go would give your opponent a lot of space, so just stick with advancing.

 

3. Indian Game (1. d4 Nf6)

The indian game for black commonly transposes into a king's indian defense or a nimzo. I don't find Nf6 too effective against the Stonewall, because after all, Nf6 prevents the advancement of e4. Sometimes, this can change into the main line stonewall, with standard black moves like d5, e6, Nf5, c5, etc. However, if your opponent adamantly goes on to the king's indian without paying attention to your stonewall, just fianchetto a bishop onto b2. This will really help because this give an opportunity for it to be exchanged for another minor piece, which will give white an advantage. In response to Nf6, just continue your Stonewall. But if your opponent doesn't contribute to the center, then just ram in some pieces to take control. Also, if your opponent does a king's indian and moves d6, do NOT move to f4 or else you'll get undermined by a move like e5. To make it worse, you can take advantage of the dark-squared weaknesses if your dark-squared bishop is fianchettoed.

 

4. Mikenas Defense (1.d4 Nc6?!)
 
By my own history, this is the least common out of replies to 1. d4. Kind of like a reversed Alekhine's defense, black also has to consider the cautions when playing this. For example, like the Alekhine's defense, you can chase the black knight all around the board and can eventually cramp up your opponent. Just respond with f4, to bind the e5 square.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Double Stonewall?!
 
A double stonewall can go on in different variations. This is one that is commonly reached:
Do you think I'm joking? Nope. This is the most annoying thing of all: your opponent can copy your moves and still get away with a draw! Any Stonewall player who meets his/her evil twin will tell you it's really annoying. Fortunately, this isn't an all-winning strategy against it. You can have a high chance of getting draw if you just close up the position. But if you're like me (a lion's heart), I would just crack and pick at my opponent's pawns and attack at their weak spots. If your opponent is starting to do the double Stonewall, the best I can suggest is go for the center. Try moves like c4, or even g4.
6. Queen's Indian Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6)
 
Hold on for one second; I know you're all yelling at me that f4 wasn't played before Nf3. Do you know f4 would be a questionable move?
Wait for it....
Because your opponent will fianchetto the bishop to b7!
Doing this is just like doing the double Stonewall. Your opponent will capture the e4 square, and you will get the e5 square. It will be a drawn, closed up position after messy exchanges. I have to admit, I am also clueless about reponses, so If I know my opponent will fianchetto to b7, I'd just move f3 to blunt it out. I would transpose the game itself to a non-Stonewall position. So there you have it! The most annoying thing that can happen to a Stonewall set-up: the dreaded Bb7 move that will dominate the game against you. Foot in mouth
Next blog (part 7), I will explain about the Dutch Stonewall!