Leningrad Dutch: Dutch Defense Variation

Leningrad Dutch

Definition

The Leningrad Dutch is a sharp, dynamic variation of the Dutch Defense that usually arises after the moves:

1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6

Black fianchettoes the king’s-side bishop (…g6, …Bg7) and often follows with …d6 and …e6, creating a structure reminiscent of the King’s Indian Defense—but with the pawn already committed to f5. The setup was developed and popularized by Soviet players from Leningrad (today’s Saint Petersburg), hence the name.

Main Move-Order

1. d4 f5
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2 g6
4. Nf3 Bg7
5. O-O O-O
6. c4 d6 (or 6…d6 first, 7…Qe8, 8…Nc6)

The exact sequence can vary—many players start with 2…g6 to avoid certain sidelines, or insert …d6 / …Qe8 early—but the hallmark features are the f- and g-pawns advanced and the bishop on g7.

Strategic Ideas

King-side pressure. The pawn on f5 and bishop on g7 aim at White’s king, often supported by …e5 or …f4 pawn breaks.
Flexible center. Black keeps the center fluid; depending on White’s setup, Black may strike with …e5, …c5, or even …b5 in some lines.
Piece activity over pawn structure. Black willingly accepts a slightly weakened king-side (dark-square weaknesses) in exchange for active pieces and attacking chances.
White’s plans. Typical methods include: breaking with e4 (classical main line), occupying the center with Nc3 & d5, or the fianchetto system with b3 & Bb2 aiming at the long diagonal.

Historical Significance

While the Dutch Defense dates back to the 19^th century, the Leningrad setup emerged in the 1920s–30s, championed by Leningrad masters such as Grigory Levenfish and Vladimir Zak. It gained international attention when GM Viktor Korchnoi and later GM Jan Timman employed it regularly at elite level. In the 1990s, it became part of Garry Kasparov’s surprise arsenal—in particular his celebrated win over Gata Kamsky at Linares 1993.

Illustrative Game

Kamsky – Kasparov, Linares 1993 (Round 6) showcases Black’s dynamic potential.

Kasparov unleashed the thematic pawn storm on the king side, sacrificed material to expose the white king, and eventually converted the attack in trademark style.

Typical Tactical Motifs

…e5 break. Opening lines for the g7-bishop and activating the queen on e8.
Exchange sacrifice on f4. …Bxf4 followed by …gxf5 ideas to rip open White’s king side.
Dark-square domination. After …f4, the squares e3, g3, and h4 become accessible to Black’s pieces.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

The variation’s original Soviet name was “Dutch with fianchetto,” but Western literature adopted “Leningrad Dutch” after Dutch GM Jan Timman used the term in the 1970s.
Garry Kasparov employed the line only sparingly; yet his wins with it boast a near-perfect score, making it one of his most “efficient” openings.
Modern engine assessments rate the line roughly equal, but practical results in master play favor Black more than any other Dutch setup—showing its fighting character.
Because the pawn structure mirrors the King’s Indian, many KID specialists (e.g., Hikaru Nakamura, Nigel Short) have added the Leningrad to their repertoires without major theoretical study.