Dutch defense

Once again I ask for an opening advice. Is Dutch worth learning? From what I see it's risky and giving white good attack ideas.

I wouldn’t recommend the Dutch. But it’s fine ig.

Last time I checked there were 3 main variations of the Dutch - the Stonewall (sometimes played by Carlaen, so it can't be too risky!), Leningrad & Classical (probably the most risky, so I would highly recommend that... or the Leningrad).

I know that GingerGM has produced a course & made numerous videos about the Classical Dutch but you can easily find YT videos about the other variations too. I've had generally good results with the Dutch in online Rapid/Daily and OTB games. It helps that it has a slightly bad reputation. It has similarities to the Bird's and Sicilian Grand Prix.

As one that plays the Dutch myself, I would say the answer is "It Depends". I don't see the entire Dutch as completely sound, only parts of it, and White's Gambits should be avoided.

First off, I agree with GM Ntrilis. The Leningrad is unsound.

Also, I think Black best avoid the Staunton Gambit, Poisoned-Spike Gambit, 2.Bg5, and 2.Nc3 lines. How?

You answer 1.d4 with 1...e6 (1.c4 and 1.Nf3 can be answered by 1...f5). This will require you to be willing to play the French Defense. If you refuse to play the French, the Dutch is not right for you.

You also must be flexible. You cannot just learn the Stonewall or just learn the Classical. In fact, both should be a last resort! The following is what you need to do to be successful.

1.d4 e6 and now:

2.e4 you transpose to the French with 2...d5.

2.Nc3 you play 2...d5 when you will likely get either a French with 3.e4 or a Jobava with 3.Bf4, but with e6 played instead of Nf6, this is easily countered by 3...Bd6.

2.c4 or 2.Nf3 or 2.g3, you play 2...f5.

The flexibility requirement does not stop there. Against any normal 3rd move, you will play 3...Nf6 and now you must see what White has done after 4 moves:

A) If White has played g3 within the first 4 moves, AND ONLY IF WHITE HAS PLAYED g3, do you go into your Stonewall (4...d5) or Classical (4...d6) Dutch. If White has not played g3, DO NOT DO THIS!

B) If White has played the Knight to c3 and the other knight to f3 or h3, such that it can no longer go to e2, play in Nimzo-Indian fashion with 4...Bb4. If White attacks with 5.Qb3, use the a-pawn to protect the Bishop, and only take the Knight if kicked with a3. If White does not attack the Bishop, and has not protected the Knight with a piece, you will take the Knight once he castles, creating the doubled pawns

C) If White has not played g3 and has not committed both knights, like say, 1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3, where Nge2 is still possible, DO NOT play ...Bb4. Go for the Modern setup with 4...b6 and 5...Bb7. With pawns on f5, e6, and d7, this is the ideal diagonal for the Bishop, which is why White often plays g3 against the Dutch.

Additional Notes: First off, in the Nimzo setup, scenario B above, you will usually follow that up with a queenside fianchetto like in line C. Also, the idea in C above also applies when White tries to play the London.

So is the Dutch for you? If you can maintain this type of flexibility and are interested in either the Stonewall or Classical when beaten to the long diagonal and have a tolerance for the French or already play the French against 1.e4? Sure!

If you are looking for a one-size fits all approach or you have no tolerance for the French? Forget it, not worth your time! A poor choice indeed.

There are GM's that play the Dutch, it's certainly playable for players below GM.

Only the Leningrad. GothamChess made a video on it

the other variations are also good wdym

I believe there are better options like the Nimzo, but it’s a good choice. You can learn it if you want.

I think lenning the lenningrad is the worst actually imo. Then stonewall and classical being the best

you obviously don’t play the Dutch

I dont

Never said it was bad, just said it was the worst Dutch imo

I do and I agree. So does GM Ntrilis. The Leningrad is turrible!

Korchnoi said he gave up playing the Leningrad when he finally admitted to himself he did not really understand well what was going on.

Typical trash talk.

A REAL DUTCH PLAYER PLAYS F5.

I'm a "REAL" Dutch player and I play 1...e6. Avoids garbage like the Gambit lines and 2.Bg5 or 2.Nc3.

1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5!

1.d4 e6 2.Nc3 d5!

1.d4 e6 2.Bg5 Qxg5!

After 2.Nf3 or 2.g3 or 2.c4, only then 2...f5.

You're stats are not very convincing.Just a small gap between 1...,f5 and 1...,e6.

SO JUST PLAY GARBAGE LINES IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Chess.com stats mean nothing. It is 95% bullet and blitz.

Don't give a flying **** about chess.com "stats", and therefore your comment holds no water. I base everything I say on OTB play.

Fake.

Describes you well.

Eu curto muito a Dutch defense por conta de sua originalidade e "raridade",jogo as variantes Stonewall,Nimzo-dutch e clássicas(Zhennevsky System) porém lhe falo que as brancas tem diversos ataques como o gambito Stauton,fianchetto,gambito Krejyck