Chess Lesson: The Dutch Defence - Stonewall Variation

[hoofdhaarkop]

As black how do you defende the g7 pawn and if white trades pawns on d4 which pawn is the best one to strike back with ?

[willz69r]

e5 is a potential weakness for black but why doesnt queens pawn move up 1 and threten that square?

[chucknorrisnguyen]

I used this defence to defeat Chess Titans Level 10. :D Thank you! I hope you put more videos with good defenses, openings, and tactics!

P.S. THANK YOU!

[matosale]

hey! awesome videos! I'm playing a tournament in chess dot com and a most of your videos helped me with the openings and defenses. I was wondering which software are you using for the casts? I might start doing casts in Spanish =)

[TheBackyardProfessor]

Good video. Thanks JRobi! I am just starting to learn the Dutch and have had exactly one success with it so far. Not bad considering I have only played one game with it - GRIN! I enjoy learning from your videos. GREAT work and play man! You inspire me.

[hadashi05]

This is a great site. I'm amazed at how you can play a biltz game quite calmly, keeping your wits about you to the extent that you can produce a real-time video that discusses what's going on. That's multitasking to a level that I'll never attain! As for the Stone Wall, I have a book that recommends it as the one technique to master, but against the King's pawn opening.

[itzxj]

alright so i got up the defense which is pretty awesome - thanks a bunch, but im having trouble deciding what is the best move to do next following up with the rook for white's pond moving from C4 to C5?

[XAzureAngelX]

You sound like Peter Parker from spider man ._.

[hueman7]

thanx for sharing.

[Cox1177]

I like how you are fair to everything. Chess needs to be looked at as move order, rather than white or black, attack or defense. The overall goal should be to determine every piece's value for any given position, and then determine the move order to get a, more forced, outcome.

Great videos, keep em coming. I'd ike to see some 1.e4 e5 2. f4! videos. :)

[hawima]

Here is one way I came into a Dutch Stonewall (I was Black). I am curious about what you think about this position. The game went as follows: 1. g3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg2. Now at this point, do you think Black should play c6 first to support d5, or should he play d5 first and risk that White will play 5. cxd5 before he can play c6? Keep in mind that it is key for Black to play Bd6 before White can play Bf4. Your thoughts (and ALL your videos) are appreciated. Keep up the good work!

[BEASTA84]

hey man, just to let u know i stopped watching kevin from the chess website cause u are a pro its really helped me in my tournaments i have gotten first 6 times in a row with the alekhine defense and the kings indian defense u are awesome man keep coming with the videos

[divinity0988]

cool!!!

[chandygarcia]

will you do a project w/ grunfeld defence?

[klarsteller0815]

You maked news videos??

[75christop]

I love your videos jrobi. i know you've gotten plenty of request for D4 openings, but I'd still like to see u do some with Queen's gambit accepted and declined.

[theburglar724]

Great video! I have just started looking at the Dutch defense and this helped alot.

What does black do if white plays c5? Move the bishop to c2?

[markmansfield1960]

what happens if white plays pawn C5 after Bishop D6? Can I say I really enjoy the videos and have increased my rating by 200 points, thank you.

[markmansfield1960]

what happens if white plays pawn C5 after Bishop to D6? can I say I really enjoy your videos and increased my rating by 200 points, thank you.

[thejaek24]

dude i just tonight found ur vids on youtube and i have to say u by far have the best chess vids because every1 else just doesnt talk or its confusin but i like your style.Anyway reason im postin is because this dutch defence is going to help me out alot when facing other people who like to be white and never seen it before.

[catnads]

This is the first video of yours I've watched. It certainly won't be the last. I loved it! keep up the good work.

[FockerTheLopper]

hey, try moving the chess board back... it gets me dizzy...

[haine920]

I played many games with this opening but always Whites play Knight to e5 wich is a weak square for Blacks because the knight has a great potentiel on the squares d7 and f7 and he isnt attacked by a white pawn. I would take it with Bxe5 but after that, the withe's pawn on d4 take my bischop and my knight on f6 is attacked. So, i move my knight and i lose tempo (i guess).

Whats's the solution please. If my bischop solution was right, where should i move my knight ?

[andrew93nz]

Gidday. Love your videos. I'm learning a lot and I have to say yours are the best chess videos on YouTube!

[YVS83]

To add, with Bd6 you reinforce e5, which you can also do with Nbd7. Also, you can pretty much neutralize White's c3 knight with the move b5--it'll have nowhere to go but back.

[haine920]

@YVS83 Very clever, i would never think about that (neutralizing the c3 knight). Thank you.

[onewordafteranother]

Why do none of these lines include cxd4? Would it be bad for white to do so?

[jamesarro1]

hey i love your vids ive been playing around with this opening for a bit and after i get my dark squared bishop(f8) to d6 i often get a response from white of pc4 to pc5 i am interested to know what you would do when faced with this move.

[KBoogs719]

Ok 3 weeks later, I luv this opening!!!! It's great! However I don't think I have won with it. Best I have got is a draw. But the threats the are available for black are numerous, and the center is unbreakable, In every game i have used it, NO ONE has been able to break thru the center, only go around the queenside, but this leaves the king all alone, this has been the general theme in every game. But this opening really is good for tactical oriented guys. It fits right at home with me.

[KBoogs719]

i'm experimenting with this opening now in blitz, i just got crushed but its cool, i had some terrible losses with the king's gambit now i am very comfortable with it and have had nothing short of amazing games with it so i will see how this turns out in a few weeks

[adhdboy699]

at around 4:40 would it not also be helpful to pit the queen or king at f-7

[GarzaHector9]

another good defence could be benko

[leesong24]

Sverre Johnsen and Ivar Bern, in their book, "Win with the Stone Wall Dutch" recommend that black play Bb4, not Bd6, when white goes for the c5 line instead of the g3 line.

[Napoleontje]

AH COOL!!! A DUTCH Defense.... :D I'm dutch so that fits me great.... in your other video the second match amazes me.... I don't play chess that long but it really show the potential of this defense and the turning points it can create... Genius... I'll have to practice for a while to be able to do something like that... Nonetheless great vid... really something to my taste... :D:D:D:D:

[jasonmh]

Terrific videos, thank you. I used to play chess quite abit when I was younger, so these videos are great to get me back into the game :)

[DethklokDudE691]

I love your videos, Im definetly not as intelligent as you or your other viewers, but I have always loved chess. You'll always have a viewer in me. :D

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out D! I appreciate the comment but I bet you're just as smart as everyone else. =)

[Darkblaze10k]

@jrobichess

Why doesn't the pawn on c4 (for white) ever seem to come to c5, attacking the Bishop.

[JoshMason93]

well done, and I appreciate the information.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out Josh!

[front331]

hi jrobi. i've watched alot of your vids and theyre really fun and helpful. seems like you worked ur way up very quick. i've been playing chess for more than 10 years now but still struggling to progress. what is a good way to improve your skill? i know your vids help and thank you for having them and hope you make more. and i'm mostly a blitz player online

[duff835]

three things that help me

1.play yourself(learn your weeknesses and openings you have in your game)

2.watch chess games of grandmasters like crazy

3.play a game that your with a partner that you can move back and fix mistakes learn from then and better your game and better yourself at seeing ahead, don't forget to go back to games and see what you missed or look at the game from the oponents perspective.

[jrobichess]

I have compiled a list of Grandmaster advice on my main page jrobichess(dot)com - that should help give a framework to go by that will yield positive results. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[poilkjlive]

can you use the Stonewall variation against the Catalane opening?

[gtamateur]

at 8:06 it is absurd a average to move the bishop to d3 it is better c4xd5 open the king file on black side and you exchange a side pawn for a center pawn and you prevent problem from the stonewall

[jrobichess]

That's incorrect. It's far better for white to continue on with development. White can take the pawn, but the position tends to favor black (as does the database statistics from top level play). Bd3 is the most played move in the position from Grandmasters, with an average ELO of just under 2700.

[megaton12]

Jrobi, here variation that troubles me: 1. d4 f5 2 Bg5 ... I read up on this, apparently this forces black to deviate from the stonewall and enter the Leningrad, a more difficult and sharp variation

[jrobichess]

Black can still play into a stonewall setup with 2 Bg5. What did you come across line-wise that would force black into the leningrad? Chances are there are alternative moves that can be made to stay into a stonewall strategy. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[megaton12]

Well Black has two basic options I think, either threathen the White Bishop or continue development. Can you suggest a good follow up to 2. Bg5? I see 2 ...g6 or h6. But doesnt h6 hamper black's kingside protection?

[jrobichess]

A solid follow up to 2. BG5 would be H6 - a nice trappy move. I enjoyed looking into this - and will cover 2. BG5 in a future variation video for the Dutch. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[ChBackAgain]

I agree with megaton12. The thing is, Black cannot chase away the bishop on g5. 2. Bg5, h6 3. Bh4, g5 4.Bg3, f4 6.e3 ... White wins a pawn since Qh5 would be checkmate. Moreover, this line destroys black's kingside even if Qh5 is defended. If black continues with Nf6, is white ahead if he takes the knight? Last question, what about 2.h3, Nf6 3.g4, fxg4 4.hxg4, Nxg4 5.Qd3, Nf6, 6.Rxh7! 1-0 ? Thanks.

[Manowar9]

@ChBackAgain: very nifty, however neither of these work, if 2. Bg5, d5 or 2. h3, d5 is played by black. (However, I never use f5 as the 1st move as black.) I love to use a stonewall-type opening as white: 1. c4, e5 2. Nc3, Bb4 3. a3 Bxc3 4. bxc3 Nc6 5. e4, Nf6 6 d3. If possible, I like to follow this up with f4 and f5 and no castling. Is this "opening" has a name??

[megaton12]

Hi jrobi, this is a good introduction to the dutch stonewall. But I struggle when my opponents when they deviate from the stonewall lines (usually the case). Could you please make a video analyzing this? thanks

[jrobichess]

To get the early structure shouldn't be a problem as it's not very dependent on the opponent being cooperative unless he/she tries to capture early in the center which is usually to your advantage anyway. Maybe post a move order you are having trouble with and everyone can take a look and offer advice.

[Huskylonghorn]

Fantastic video! Thanks for posting this!

[jrobichess]

Thanks Huskylonghorn!

[munik897]

this is a great opening ima def. gona use it its well structured

[jrobichess]

I play it a lot - it has always made for a good game so far in my experience and it takes the opponent out of the more popular black lines against the Queen's pawn opening. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[jrobichess]

Thanks bracown!

[rootbeerpies]

This is great! I discovered my Mac Chess program a few months ago & have been playing non-stop since then. Finally, ran into a brick wall recently (after gingerly increasing the difficulty after each game) and wondering where I should go next.

I really don't have the brain (nor patience) for learning theory, but discovered this video and already applying it when playing black vs. the computer. This is so cool! Thanks a bunch!

[jrobichess]

Glad you liked it rootbeerpies! Thanks for checking out the vid and I hope you get lots more fun from the game!

[darkness446919]

Most of the time white will not immediately play nf3 after d6. White usually plays c4. after c4 d5 is bad because of nh3 aiming to place the knight at f4. Therefore, it is a better idea to play c6 before playing d5 because if now nh3 d6 and the night on h3 looks silly. After c6 nf3 only now d5

[darkness446919]

You can also transpose into the stonewall with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6(e6)3.nc3(nf3)e6 4.e3 bd6(f5 here allows the strong g4) 5. bd3 f5 and this is a favourable variation of the dutch stonewall as the bishop is not on the fianchetto as going to g2 would waste tempo. White's dark squared bishop is blocked by the e3 pawn and exchanging dark squared bishops with ba3 is no longer possible because the knight is already developed

[Kane9530]

hello, great video again!

i would like to ask whether as a club player who enjoys a slow and positional game, which opening suits me best? so far, i am researching on the french defense and dutch, any suggestions?

[andsanp]

whats the best response after 2.e4

[jrobichess]

Hi Andsanp - that's the Staunton Gambit in the Dutch lines. Going to be making a video on that in the future.

For the short-term though you can definitely snag up that pawn safely. For a possible line in that: 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nc6.

[andsanp]

thanks jrobi! yeah, it seems 3.Qh5+ is harmless.

[Sc2ggrocks]

wat about cxd5? doesnt it kind of ruin the stonewall? Great Vid!

[jbragadeesh]

excellent video buddy!!

[theunbeatenable]

I have a question for you. If the game starts off 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6. Then what move do you recomend for white? I get into this position very very often. If the pawn takes then i don't like the moves that follow but if the pawn doesn't take then i really like the postion. The problem is that 9 out of 10 the pawn takes than i retake with my knight. What do you think about this?

[geekorthodox9]

nice video

it is impressive to see that your understanding of the game increase over time, and your focus on the key themes is very helpful.

[drizztman101]

I dont understand Bd6, wasted move with c5

[jrobichess]

If played by white, C5 helps to further lock things down on the queenside, so it wouldn't be bad for black if that's played. The dark square bishop for black generally likes to be pointing towards white's kingside, and C5 won't stop it from that goal. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[drizztman101]

I always thought this was called the reverse sicilian

[fezzjr]

something i noticed when reading others comments (as well as mine) is that one reason we may not like this opening is because of the closed position it produces. That also makes me think that perhaps more players are comfortable as well as better when playing open positions as opposed to closed positions. I think it might be in your interest (as well as mine and anyone who this applies too) to work on closed position games and openings, even if we perfer open positions. just pointing this out!

[jrobichess]

Awesome observation fezzjr! In today's US championship final, Nakamura and Hess went in tied. Hess played an open game, and drew. Nakamura kept things complicated by not opening up everything, keeping tension. Nakamura won.  Fischer and Kasparov were also known to maintain tension, forcing their opponents to play extremely careful so as not to make a subtle mistake that led to devastating tactics. If your opponent prefers it open, it can only benefit you to play out of their comfort zone.

[GMorganis]

When I was first learning how to play chess, a friend of mine played this against me as black....And I lost lol :P.

[ebrien1]

Great work JRobi, as usual. I like this idea, as I enjoy the stonewall system with white and love to create those early imbalances, really fit to my play style. Keep em coming! I'm looking forward to seeing those intresting attacking ideas.

[TechVistaX]

how did you do this? what software or is just jpeg pictures

[jrobichess]

Aquarium with Rybka 3 - I have a video on my channel about it. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[crazybirddude121]

great video and i look forward to seeing the other variations

[jrobichess]

Thanks crazybirddude121!

[braileanul]

hey jrob

thanks for the work done

just wanted to comment that i never find this variation enjoyable compared to open game chess openings.

i guess you said that for marketing purposes, but anyway...

is worthwhile to try this in one or two 3min games online :) anyhow

i guess

[jrobichess]

It definitely creates an imbalanced and very tactical position for sure which won't be everyone's preferred playstyle. Sacrifices for tactical victory are very common and simplification to the endgame is far from easy. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[thewordengine]

Often, the more powerful openings I discover in my own game are established offenses or defenses. Such is the case with the Dutch. I've been playing it, but have always called it the "V for Victory" because of the black pawn formation and because I have a high success rate when playing it. Thanks for the videos. I love them!

[jrobichess]

Nice name for it thewordengine! Thanks for commenting and checking out the vid!

[lukeanatr]

WOOT

[theunbeatenable]

Can you make your next video on a opening that starts with a queen pawn, because i always move e4 on my first move. I want to try and mix it up a bit, and it is the most common move that i see in online play.

[braileanul]

you never play with black pieces? .........

[1kingconan]

I love signing in and seeing a new video from you jrobichess :) I know that I will learn new tactics and have a fun couple of minutes. As always great vid and keep them coming :)

[jrobichess]

Thanks King - I appreciate that!

[VincentVega44]

yes. much agreed.

[Phirelord77]

Okies, I guess you're right.

[Phirelord77]

A great video, I really appreciate them! :)

But just one thing though, if I had seen black making that, I would've done something to crack it. I don't see how it could be so hard. At 07:54, what if white just takes the d5 bishop? That would pretty much ruin the opening, right? I'm just an amateur, and wouldn't have played white's moves at all, I'm just saying it seems very easy to crack, like most tactics. What is black supposed to do if it cracks?

[jrobichess]

It's definitely possible for white to try to open things up early, but white will often leave the C4 pawn in place and continue development. If white takes the pawn, black can recapture with the knight and have a very playable position. From database results black has an even higher win percentage if white lets things open up that early in the game. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[flex567]

@jrobichess

What is your ELO rating?

[jrobichess]

I usually refer back to my last posted match video for that flex - thanks for checking out this vid!

[lufthoved]

Hi jrobichess,

great video. But are you sure your are pronoucing fianchetto correct???

[jrobichess]

I have heard it both ways, but had a spanish speaking person influence the way I say it very early on when I started chess and it stuck with me and probably always will. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[lufthoved]

Yeah, once you get into a habbit, its impossible to change!!!

Fianchetto sounds more italian to me, but again, Im a language idiot...

[jrobichess]

It's possible if a person wants the change bad enough. =)

[illini97]

Ah,,, o thi is called the Dutch efence.... Very logical, but maybe suited for more higher rated players.... :P

Very nice video! Another good one, jrobi! :)

[theunbeatenable]

Great video. I tried this defence but had no luck and lost both games i played with it, even thought i got into the opening both times. Can you make your next video on Fischers openings. those were definiently my favorite videos.

[jrobichess]

Sorry to hear that - it might not be a good match for your playstyle.

[Palaflax]

you are a very good teacher, thanks for this

[jrobichess]

Thanks Palaflax - I appreciate the comment!

[midasfan8888]

It was very enjoyable to watch! Thank you for posting...

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out Midas!

[ivickvv]

thanks for the video. i've played a lot of blitz games against black who was using this defense. I typically play pawn c4 and try to open into a queen's gambit type of opening.

[jrobichess]

Definitely a viable move option for sure.

[DriftStallion]

Sweet! Im definitely gonna try this out!!  Thanks!!

[jrobichess]

From what I have experienced, it's not too hard to get into the position, so keep me posted on how things go.

[cheesePROtm]

is there a natzi defence ...or offence?

if so it should pwn.

[taurath]

Looks like a fun game for black! As I have been learning its been really tough for me to advance the F pawn early on - I seem to want to favor much tighter king positions overall.

Great videos as always, very interesting and excellent commentary.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out taurath!

[lpjuunin]

I love the Dutch Defense overall, but before I really got into it, I was in a position like yours, finding myself in a King-side disadvantage everytime I played it. But nowadays I prefer castling Queen-side anyways, and being quite an expert on the Dutch recently, I win more than half the games I play as Black if White goes 1 d4 (me using Dutch).

So I guess the lesson is, patient practice on a not so frequently used defense or opening truly pays off! ^^

[fezzjr]

Nice idea, something i might try out once or twice, but something to keep in mind is that white can move his C pawn up attacking ur dark sq bishop and forcing it back, which also makes for a more closed position. As always nice vid keep em coming

[jrobichess]

White can definitely shuffle the bishop around a bit, but that also has the drawback of further closing the position also. Good comment fezzjr!

[Malfunction01]

i speak dutch but i would not use this :-). in my opinion black does not have allot of space to move. i like to push my pawns as far as possible. so i force allot of space for my big pieces.. i always try to keep my big pieces behind my pawns. so my enemy needs to fight all i got. nice video jrobi, always happy to open youtube and see you made a new video :-).

[jrobichess]

It's definitely an opening strategy that has to click with a person, given the imbalanced positions that result along with the concessions that's for sure. Thanks for checking out the vid Malfunction!

[64ah]

very nice

[norriscj]

I am always looking forward to your videos! Keep up the good work!

[jrobichess]

Thanks norriscj!

[thunderhead27]

I actually mostly use this @_@

This opened my eyes more on this strategy

Great video man

[jrobichess]

Thanks Thunder! Definitely send me messages or games on how it's going for you. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[BeastmasterKory]

hey jrobi, could you make a video on the french defense?

[jrobichess]

Planning on it most definitely. Thanks for checking out this one BeastmasterKory!

[Khemistry101]

Good stuff.

[jrobichess]

Thanks Khemistry101!

[chessdawgz]

I don't like concessions, that's why I play Leningrad

[jrobichess]

Definitely will be covering that one soon. It's the most popular line in the Dutch Defence in current competitions.

[chessdawgz]

I hear it's pretty good :)

[jrobichess]

Thanks topshonuff!

[lpjuunin]

Finally, an analysis of the Dutch Defense by jrobi! Thanks mate! ^^

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out lpjuunin!

[wretcherwretch]

My theory knowledge in general isn't very deep, but wouldn't white placing its bishop on g5 be a pretty severe problem for black, since you can't really kick it?

[jrobichess]

An early G5 is definitely an option. I plan to include it in a side variation video. The short answer is that it isn't difficult to deal with, but it demands attention. The long answer just won't fit in the comment limit so I will get into more detail in the future video. Thanks for checking this one out!

[wretcherwretch]

I'll wait for your next video then! Thanks!

[unknowdude123]

nice video =D thx

[jrobichess]

Thanks!

[F2L4Life]

I use the Stonewall Attack as white. I sometimes play the "polar bear" which is the Leningrad as white.

[jrobichess]

The Polar Bear is fun - I enjoyed krakkaskak's research and development into it.

[Strijdparel]

Oh yes one more question: why is it called the Dutch devence? Was it invented by a Dutch man or woman? Because I am dutch!

[TakeFiv3]

Elias Stein (17481812), an Alsatian who settled in The Hague, recommended the defence as the best reply to 1.d4 in his 1789 book Nouvel essai sur le jeu des échecs, avec des réflexions militaires relatives à ce jeu.

[Strijdparel]

Ah, okey, thanks. I knew it, the Dutch people rule :p (I can know it because I am dutch)!

[Strijdparel]

Hi, I like your video's they are very entertaining and I learn a lot. I have probebly played chess since I was about 5. The 8 years i have not played that mutch.

A few week back I got into a discussion with somebody. He said that if you want to be good at chess you have to learn a great deel of openings or that otherwise you would only stay medioker. I did not agree with him. I always play by heart. What do you think about this? I would really apriciate to hear your thought about it.

[SrbijaDavidp]

if u ask me if you don't learn the openings you will usually have a disadvantage in the begging

[wretcherwretch]

You're wrong, the other guy was right.

[Malfunction01]

of course you have people with feeling how to play chess.. but you will not get far if you are stubborn..

[jrobichess]

From what I have been able to find from GM advice, it's often recommended to study your favorite openings in great detail, and give a curtesy study to others to avoid common traps and positional mistakes in the opening.  This is in addition to a lot of tactics practice, endgame study, and personal and GM game analysis of course. Lots of great things to spend chess study time on, but no single one trumps any of the others.

[Strijdparel]

Thanks for your opinions everybody. Maby I will get serieus enough and start to really study chess!

[fezzjr]

strijdparel.... honestly it is important to learn chess openings, but advice given to newer players that want to play compeitively is that it is MUCH more important to learn middlegame and endgame concepts. studies have proven this

[plainsane1982]

is it recommended to castle kingside in this variation? since the kingside pawnstructure is weakened and a kingside attack planned, which will probably further expose the kingside...

queenside castling looks far away, so is leaving the king in the middle an option?

[jrobichess]

Good question - difficult to answer. Totally depends on how the game progresses. It's no uncommon to skip castling in the Dutch, but sometimes a quick kingside or queenside castle can contribute to a devastating attack.

[GeekQueenofDesire]

Thank you for this! I really liked it.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out Desire!

[gmarino3324]

jrobichess, as usual, simple, valuable & straightforward... thanks!

[jrobichess]

Thanks gmarino - appreciate the comment!

[Baxx282]

What took you so long to make a vid on the Dutch? Either ways, great vid as always =)

[jrobichess]

If only time was always on my side .... =)

[adnanrk]

Thanks! I always look forward to your videos.

[jrobichess]

Thanks for checking it out!

[aaron602]

Great commentary, great knowledge, great service, my friend. Appreciate all that you are doing, and love watching your videos! 5/5

[jrobichess]

Thanks Aaron!

[numbcore]

New video =D