The Stonewall Variation, Modern Variation is a variation of the Dutch Defense, catalogued as ECO A90. The line runs 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 c6 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O Bd6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six 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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 26 Dutch Defense variations →
The Stonewall Variation, Modern Variation goes 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 c6 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O Bd6. It is a variation of the Dutch Defense and is catalogued as ECO A90.
The Stonewall Variation, Modern Variation is ECO A90. 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 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 c6 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O Bd6 at +0.45 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.