Dutch defence

To all those Dutch defence devotees, want suggestions as to how to handle this setup played by White below, would the Classical / Stonewall route the best to take this on.

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. a3!? - a very innocuous move.

The reason this was played by White is to prevent the following setup

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 - which is considered to be one of Black's mainlines.

Originally posted by Oddjob291
To all those Dutch defence devotees, want suggestions as to how to handle this setup played by White below, would the Classical / Stonewall route the best to take this on.

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. a3!? - a very innocuous move.

The reason this was played by White is to prevent the following setup

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 - which is considered to be one of Black's mainlines.

Both alternative main lines are equally playable, ie. stonewall or...Be7 ..d6, ..b6, ...Bb7

Originally posted by Oddjob291
To all those Dutch defence devotees, want suggestions as to how to handle this setup played by White below, would the Classical / Stonewall route the best to take this on.

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. a3!? - a very innocuous move.

The reason this was played by White is to prevent the following setup

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 f5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 - which is considered to be one of Black's mainlines.

4...Bb4 need not be the best move.
The bishop is better placed on e7 and d6.
You may proceed with Stone wall with ...d5, c6, Ne4, Rf6-h6 and Qh4.
Worry is the QB stuck with all moved pawns on white squares.
It may move via d7 and then on e8-h5 daigonal
White's best option is Bg2,0-0 and then try for f3 and e4. N can be developed on h3, then f4 and d3. Qc2, Nc3 Rad1, breaking in the center. this is a classic center vs flank attack setup.

Originally posted by Prashant
4...Bb4 need not be the best move.
The bishop is better placed on e7 and d6.
You may proceed with Stone wall with ...d5, c6, Ne4, Rf6-h6 and Qh4.
Worry is the QB stuck with all moved pawns on white squares.
It may move via d7 and then on e8-h5 daigonal
White's best option is Bg2,0-0 and then try for f3 and e4. N can be developed on h3, then f4 and d3. Qc2, Nc3 Rad1, breaking in the center. this is a classic center vs flank attack setup.

You could be right there, however, the reasoning why ...Bb4 is played in a number of lines here is that it strengthens Black's grip on the e4 square when White knight on c3 gets swapped off.

Funny enough, many players underestimate the Leningrad variation of Dutch...being opening sequence that involves d6, g6 and Bg7.
Now, this is not the most powerful of openings, but surely you will be able to bring your opponent out of his theory, hence let the real chesspower take over.

One to consider from a....Dutchman.
SL
(who likes the stonewall as well)