The Dutch Defence is an ambitious and underrated counter to the queen's pawn opening. With his very first move Black creates an asymmetrical pawn structure, thus unbalancing the position from a very early stage and allowing both White and Black players to fight for the initiative. Black also has many options within the Dutch Defence, from the ultra-solid Stonewall formation through to the fluid Classical System and the dynamic Leningrad Variation.

In this user-friendly book, Grandmaster Neil McDonald goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Dutch Defence and its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while key strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.

• User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
• Concentrates on the key principles of the Dutch Defence
• Ideal for the improving player

CONTENT:

004 Bibliography

005 Introduction

011 1 Dutch Gambit Lines

023 2 White Plays 2 Bg5

034 3 White Plays 2 Nc3

043 4 Stonewall Dutch

071 5 Classical Dutch: Introduction and Main Line

099 6 Classical Dutch: Various Alternative Ideas

119 7 Leningrad Dutch: Introduction and Main Line

148 8 Leningrad Dutch: Other Ideas