The Leningrad, Basman System is a variation of the Dutch Defense, catalogued as ECO A81. The line runs 1. d4 f5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O Nh6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
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 Leningrad, Basman System goes 1. d4 f5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O Nh6. It is a variation of the Dutch Defense and is catalogued as ECO A81.
The Leningrad, Basman System is ECO A81. 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. g3 c6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O Nh6 at +0.97 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 two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.