Stonewall vs Nf3/e3/Bd3 (...Bd7-e8-h5) is variation 2 of 6 in the Dutch Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A84). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 d5 …. When White develops with e3 and Bd3 instead of the fianchetto, Black can use the classic manoeuvre ...Bd7-e8-h5 to swap off or activate the problem bishop, with the queen on e7 guarding 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: Black controls e4 with a pawn.
2. Nf3 – A flexible developing move that controls e5.
2... Nf6 – Develops and adds control of e4.
3. e3 – A quiet set-up: White plans Bd3 to aim at the f5 pawn and h7.
3... e6 – Supports a future ...d5 and opens the f8 bishop.
4. Bd3 – The bishop points at f5 and further at h7.
4... d5 – Forms the Stonewall and blunts the d3 bishop: now the f5 pawn is defended by e6 and the e4 square is Black's.
5. c4 – White hits d5 to open lines on the queenside.
5... c6 – Supports d5 so that cxd5 can be met by ...exd5 or ...cxd5 with a solid centre.
6. O-O – White castles.
6... Bd6 – The Stonewall bishop: from d6 it guards e5 and points at h2.
7. b3 – Prepares Bb2 or Ba3 to fight for the dark squares.
7... Qe7 – Covers the d6 bishop so Ba3 does not win the bishop pair cheaply, and supports ...e5 one day.
8. Bb2 – The bishop takes aim at e5 and the long diagonal.
8... O-O – Black castles; the king is safe behind the pawn chain.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM