Theoria
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Dutch Defense

Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Modern Main Line

A99positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4f5
  2. 2.c4Nf6
  3. 3.g3e6
  4. 4.Bg2Be7
  5. 5.Nf3O-O
  6. 6.O-Od6
  7. 7.Nc3Qe8
  8. 8.b3
89 games42%55%

The Modern Main Line of the Ilyin-Zhenevsky Dutch, 8. b3, where White supports c4 and readies the queen's bishop instead of preparing an early e4.

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About the Modern Main Line

The Modern Main Line, 8. b3, answers the Ilyin-Zhenevsky queen move by bolstering c4 and opening a route for the queen's bishop. It differs from 8. Re1, which prepares e4. Black's most frequent responses are 8...Nbd7, then 8...Qh5, which carries the queen straight to the kingside, and 8...a5, which gains queenside space. Engines give White a slight edge, although Black has scored well in the modest sample of online games.

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