Fianchetto Attack

The Fianchetto Attack, classified as A81, is White's most direct route to the setup usually recommended against the Dutch: a bishop on g2 aimed at the long diagonal and the e4-square that 1...f5 contests. By playing g3 before c4 or Nf3, White commits to the fianchetto first and keeps the c-pawn and knight flexible, so the game can transpose to the main lines reached via 2. c4 or develop independently. The line is regarded as the main form of the Dutch at the highest level.

Black nearly always replies 2...Nf6, and 3. Bg2 follows in almost every game, with the real branching beginning only after that. From there Black chooses among the familiar setups: ...e6 with ...d6 or ...d5 for the Classical or Stonewall structures, or ...g6 and ...Bg7 for a Leningrad-style game. The less common 2...e6 and 2...g6 announce these plans a move earlier. Play is positional and transpositional rather than forcing. White scores somewhat better in the database, and the engine gives White a slight edge.