Theoria
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Dutch Defense

Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation

A89aggressivepositional

  1. 1.d4f5
  2. 2.g3Nf6
  3. 3.Bg2g6
  4. 4.Nf3Bg7
  5. 5.O-OO-O
  6. 6.c4d6
  7. 7.Nc3Nc6
1,441 games47%47%

Leningrad Dutch line with 7...Nc6, aiming the knight at the center to support ...e5. White most often answers 8. d5, gaining space with tempo.

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About the Matulovic Variation

The Matulovic Variation is the Leningrad Dutch line with 7...Nc6. Black develops the knight toward the center to back the ...e5 break, rather than playing the Warsaw Variation's 7...c6. The knight's placement invites 8. d5, the most common reply, which gains space and drives it away with tempo. The main alternatives are 8. Re1 and 8. b3. The engine gives White a slight edge, while practical results are nearly even and draws are rare.

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