Main line: ...c5 and ...Nc6 is variation 1 of 5 in the Stonewall Attack course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO D00). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 e6 4. f4 c5 …. Black plays the natural ...c5 and ...Nc6. White completes the wall, puts a knight on e5 and swings the rook to h3. Black must defend h7 with care. 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 with the queen's pawn.
1... d5 – Black meets it in the centre.
2. e3 – The first Stonewall move. It opens the way for the f1 bishop.
2... Nf6 – Black develops the knight and watches e4.
3. Bd3 – The bishop's best square. From d3 it aims straight at h7.
3... e6 – Black opens the way for the dark bishop.
4. f4 – The Stonewall pawn. It grabs e5 and makes room for the rook to swing over later.
4... c5 – Black hits the d4 pawn. This is the most natural plan.
5. c3 – The wall is complete. The pawns on c3, d4, e3 and f4 hold the centre.
5... Nc6 – Black adds pressure on d4.
6. Nf3 – The knight develops and heads for e5.
6... Bd6 – Black's bishop looks at f4 and the e5 square.
7. O-O – White castles first and keeps the f-file ready for the rook.
7... O-O – Black castles too.
8. Ne5 – The key Stonewall square. The d4 and f4 pawns guard the knight.
8... Qc7 – Black adds pressure on e5 and f4.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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