Dutch Defence

The idea

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.

Your plan (Black)

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.

Heading into the middlegame

The Dutch is about e4 and a kingside initiative — pick a setup and commit. The Leningrad (...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6) is King's-Indian-style: castle and break with ...e5. The Classical (...e6, ...d6, ...Be7) prepares the same ...e5. The Stonewall (...d5, ...e6, ...c6) clamps e4 and parks a knight on e4 for a direct kingside attack. Whichever you choose, develop the pieces behind the f5-pawn, mind the e6/king light squares, and play for ...e5 or a piece-led assault on White's king.