The Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation is a variation of the Dutch Defense, catalogued as ECO A97. The line runs 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Qe8, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Dutch Defense generally: An aggressive response to 1.d4 where Black immediately fights for control of the e4 square.
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The Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation goes 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Qe8. It is a variation of the Dutch Defense and is catalogued as ECO A97.
The Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation is ECO A97. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Dutch Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Qe8 at +0.81 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.