Video completed - Studies in: The Dutch Defense

 

I recently completed another ChessLecture.com DVD, Studies in the Dutch Defense. Content list:

As with other products from ChessLecture.com, the presentation technology is rather old and non-interactive, so it amounts to watching a collection of online lectures with just a low-res chessboard visible. The "PGN included" mentioned on the cover is just the unannotated game scores, except for the Kramnik-Nakamura game which has notes included; there is no PGN for IM Vigorito's "Secret Weapon" lecture.

The collection is complementary to the other Dutch Defense ones I have (Studies in the Stonewall), as all the games and lines featured here are from the Leningrad Dutch or early sidelines not related to the Stonewall. The primary point of view in all cases is White's; White is at the bottom of the demonstration board and the lectures showcase White wins or opening plans. Some of the introductory remarks also appear to be aimed at novice players who either have not heard of the Dutch or think it is not playable. That said, Black's ideas and resources are also covered well, making it worthwhile for Dutch Defense players from both sides.

Below are some comments on each lecture.

Lecture 1: Irina's Deep Strategy in the Dutch by NM Dana Mackenzie

• Presenter says it is from Berkeley International 2008; PGN says it is an Internet Chess Club (ICC) game. 
• Features then-IM Irina Krush vs Marc Esserman (who earned an IM norm at the tournament)
• NM Mackenzie asked Krush which was her favorite game from the tournament, this was it
• Shows strength of White's non-fianchetto setup (Nc3 then h2-h4-h5) and pawn sacrifice against an early commitment by Black to the Leningrad Dutch fianchetto with g6
• Brings up some advanced middlegame concepts like positionally-related tactical sequences, looking for forcing moves (not just good ones) when pressing an advantage, and strategic piece exchanges leading to a force imbalance on the kingside and a winning attack

Lecture 2: Kramnik Faces Nakamura's Dutch by GM Jesse Kraai

• From Wijk Aan Zee 2010 tournament
• Bit of a weird statement to begin: "I don't believe Kramnik has faced the Dutch much in his career - it has a rather dubious reputation - but I believe it's quite playable" - among other things, Kramnik has published instructional materials on the Dutch with IM Mark Dvoretsky and knows it quite well from both sides
• Main line Leningrad variation with 7...c6
• Does a good job of explaining the various ideas in the positions for both sides. This includes tactical themes, strategic plans and positional keys such as fighting for particular squares.
• Excellent example of the dynamic imbalances inherent for both sides in the Leningrad and having to play according to the needs of the position.

Lecture 3: My Miniature in the Dutch by GM Eugene Perelshteyn

• From Perelshteyn - Onischuk, World Open 2010
• Dutch Defense termed "very risky" and "not normally used at GM level" during the intro; of course Perelshteyn does his own "Stomping White with the Stonewall Defense" video
• White goes into a sideline (d4/c4/Nc3/Bg5), responding to a Black move-order that avoids the early h2-h4-h5 issue from Lecture 1
• Good explanation of early move ideas and positional/strategic factors, including focus on e6 target square and Nh3-f4 maneuver, as well as potential early middlegame plans for both sides
• Black played overly aggressively, allowing White to open the h-file; he also lost some time in the process, being behind in development with his king in the center
• White gets a dominating pawn-up endgame; there is a good explanation of the winning strategy and accompanying tactical possibilities
• End of presentation is free-form analysis, without prior preparation

Lecture 4: A Cut-Throat Knight by GM Eugene Perelshteyn

• Perelshteyn - Barron, Canadian Open 2009
• Same sideline as #3
• Features a bishop for knight exchange on f6, doubling Black's pawns, with positional plans for White explained; really is an inferior line for Black
• Central idea of establishing a knight outpost on e6
• Instructive on converting a strategic space advantage

Lecture 5: A Secret Weapon Against the Leningrad Dutch by IM David Vigorito

• Homecooked opening analysis from 2005, featuring IM Vigorito's personal system against the Leningrad Dutch
• Features e3 and Be2 development instead of usual g3 fianchetto
• Illustrates similarities with a (reversed) French - King's Indian Attack position, with plan of queenside pawn storm
• Points out flaws of standard Leningrad main line responses (7...c6, 7...Nc6 and 7...Qe8) for Black
• 7...c5 appears to be Black's best try; White however can play an earlier b2-b4 instead of castling
• IM Vigorito has a "tremendous" score with it OTB, largely because opponents continue with their favorite main line ideas; this is an excellent practical point about strategically selecting your opening lines

Lecture 6: Demolishing the Dutch by IM John-Paul Wallace

• Follows game IM Richard Pert - Anonymous; not really clear why anonymous, since the game is public record (presenter said he didn't remember the name of the Black opponent); lecture was recorded day after the game
• Extended intro about the game circumstances, which occurred in London team play; presenter was teammate of Richard Pert
• Anti-Dutch line with 2. Bg5 played; Wallace goes over various approaches by both sides to it
• Repeated extended stream-of-consciousness analysis, sometimes unclear, shows lack of preparation for the lecture; presenter also kept confusing Richard and his brother Nick Pert
• In the game, Black played 2...c5; the sharp variation (poison pawn type rook sacrifice) for White was played OTB, not from pre-game preparation
• Black amusingly only moved pawns, king and queen