Learn
The big idea
What the Dutch Defence is really about.
An aggressive, unbalancing reply to 1.d4. With the very first move 1...f5 Black plants a flag on the kingside and fights for control of the e4-square. The bargain is clear: Black slightly loosens the king's cover in exchange for attacking chances and an asymmetrical battle most 1.d4 players are far less comfortable facing.
- White's plan: Develop soundly — often with a kingside fianchetto to blunt Black's long-diagonal hopes and contest the light squares around e4 — then exploit the slight weakening created by ...f5.
- Black's plan: Stake a kingside claim with ...f5, fight for the e4-square, develop the pieces behind the pawn, and aim for a kingside initiative or a firm grip on the centre.
What does 1...f5 fight for in the Dutch, and at what cost?
Answer the question to keep going!