Leningrad: 7...Qe8 8.d5 is variation 1 of 6 in the Against the Dutch course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A87). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 …. Black fianchettoes with ...g6 and ...Bg7 and plays ...d6 and ...Qe8. White pushes 8.d5 to gain space and blunt the g7 bishop. After the knight jumps to d4, White breaks with e4 and keeps a lasting edge. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... f5 – The Dutch Defence. Black fights for the e4 square with a pawn.
2. g3 – The fianchetto. The bishop goes to g2, where it hits e4 and d5.
2... Nf6 – Black develops and covers e4.
3. Bg2 – The bishop takes the long diagonal.
3... g6 – The Leningrad. Black puts the bishop on g7 as well.
4. Nf3 – White develops and gets ready to castle.
4... Bg7 – The bishop takes the long diagonal too.
5. O-O – White castles.
5... O-O – Black castles.
6. c4 – White gains space on the queenside and gets ready for a push to d5.
6... d6 – Black prepares the e5 push.
7. Nc3 – White develops and adds control of d5 and e4.
7... Qe8 – The queen supports the e5 push and can swing to h5.
8. d5 – White gains space. Now the g7 bishop hits a solid pawn chain.
8... a5 – Black gains a square for the knight on c5.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
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