ECO A89 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, 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

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. d5+0.72

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation (A89), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.72).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.728. d5 Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Qb3 e4 11. a4 b6 12. a5 Bd7
  2. +0.438. Qb3 Ne4 9. Rd1 h6 10. Bd2 g5 11. e3 e6 12. Be1 a5
  3. +0.338. Rb1 Ne4 9. Nxe4 fxe4 10. Ng5 Nxd4 11. Nxe4 Bg4 12. Re1 Qd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. d5 for White, continuing Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Qb3 e4 11. a4 b6 12. a5 Bd7. White is slightly better (+0.72). The next best moves are 8. Qb3 (+0.43) and 8. Rb1 (+0.33).
Is the Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.72: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation?
A89. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).