The Leningrad Variation is a variation of the Dutch Defense, catalogued as ECO A87. The line runs 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
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 Variation goes 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3. It is a variation of the Dutch Defense and is catalogued as ECO A87.
The Leningrad Variation is ECO A87. 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 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 at +0.58 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 Black to move.