Stonewall: 7.b3 and 8.Ba3 is variation 3 of 6 in the Against the Dutch course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A94). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nf3 d5 …. Black builds the Stonewall with pawns on c6, d5, e6 and f5. White plays b3 and Ba3 to trade Black's good bishop. Then the queen comes to b2, and White controls the hole on e5. 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.
1... f5 – The Dutch Defence.
2. g3 – White prepares the fianchetto.
2... Nf6 – Black develops.
3. Bg2 – The bishop takes the long diagonal.
3... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop.
4. Nf3 – White develops and watches e5.
4... d5 – Black starts the Stonewall. The pawns on d5 and f5 hold e4.
5. O-O – White castles.
5... Bd6 – The bishop takes its best square. It aims at White's king.
6. c4 – White attacks the d5 pawn and gains space.
6... c6 – Black completes the stone wall with pawns on c6, d5, e6 and f5.
7. b3 – White prepares to trade the dark-squared bishops on a3.
7... O-O – Black castles.
8. Ba3 – White offers the trade. Without this bishop Black's dark squares get weak.
8... Bxa3 – Black takes.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
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