Key ideas
- The typical position arises after 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3. Black chooses between 7...Qe8, preparing ...e5, 7...Nc6 (the Matulovic Variation) and 7...c6 (the Warsaw Variation).
- ...e5 is Black's main central break. If White answers it, or prepares for it, with d5, the structure resembles a King's Indian in which Black's f-pawn has already advanced.
- White's main plans are d5 to gain space and blunt the g7 bishop, and b4 and c5 for queenside expansion. In some lines White prepares e4 to challenge the f5 pawn directly.
- The f5 advance leaves the e6 square and the e-file sensitive. After d5, White's knights often look for e6 by way of d4, so Black must time ...e5 or ...e6 carefully.
Plans for White
Gain space with d5, which cuts the g7 bishop's diagonal and takes c6 and e6 away from Black's pieces, then expand on the queenside with b4 and c5. Keep the long diagonal under control so that ...e5 does not free Black's game.
Plans for Black
Prepare ...e5 with ...Qe8 or ...Nc6 and use the g7 bishop and the f-pawn together for kingside play. Against White's queenside expansion, ...a5 and ...c6 are the usual ways to slow it down and open lines.
For the wider picture, see the Dutch Defense guide.