Leningrad: ...Qe8 and ...Na6-c5 is variation 3 of 6 in the Dutch Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A88). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 …. The Leningrad combines ...f5 with the King's Indian fianchetto. After 7...Qe8 and 8.d5 Black plays ...a5 and ...Na6, then the central break ...fxe4 and the knight lands on c5. 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.
2. g3 – The fianchetto is White's most popular set-up against the Leningrad.
2... Nf6 – Develops and controls e4.
3. Bg2 – The bishop eyes the long diagonal and the e4 square.
3... g6 – The Leningrad: Black fianchettoes too, so the g7 bishop fights for e5 and the long diagonal.
4. Nf3 – Develops and controls e5.
4... Bg7 – Completes the fianchetto.
5. O-O – White castles.
5... O-O – Black castles too; the king is safe behind the fianchetto.
6. c4 – Gains space and prepares Nc3 and d5.
6... d6 – Controls e5 and prepares ...e5, the main central break of the Leningrad.
7. Nc3 – Develops and supports a later d5 or e4.
7... Qe8 – The main move: the queen supports ...e5 and can swing to f7 or h5.
8. d5 – White gains space and takes c6 and e6 away from Black's pieces; if ...e5 now, dxe6 en passant opens the d-file.
8... a5 – Secures the c5 square for a knight by preventing b4.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM