Chess Codex
Tree path 11 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Dutch Defense › Dutch Defense › Normal Variation › Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Variation › Dutch Defense: Classical Variation › Dutch Defense: Classical Variation › Dutch Defense: Classical Variation › Dutch Defense: Classical Variation › Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation › Modern Main Line
  1. Chess Codex
  2. Queen's Pawn Game A40
  3. Dutch Defense A80
  4. Dutch Defense A84
  5. Normal Variation A84
  6. Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Variation A86
  7. Dutch Defense: Classical Variation A90
  8. Dutch Defense: Classical Variation A91
  9. Dutch Defense: Classical Variation A92
  10. Dutch Defense: Classical Variation A96
  11. Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation A97
  12. Modern Main Line A99 you are here
A99

Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Modern Main Line

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Overview

Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, Modern Main Line is a specific line in the Flank Openings family (ECO A99), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.

It begins with 15 plies and takes 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Qe8 8. b3 to reach the canonical position.

The line refines Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, which traces back to the root opening Queen's Pawn Game.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
A99
Group
Flank Openings (A)
Plies
15
Parent
Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

9,565 games · White 53.7% / Draw 5.5% / Black 40.8%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Qh52,080
Nbd71,605
Nc61,302
a51,237
Ne4908
Bd8860
Qg6490
c6400

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:04:06

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Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation:

https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-classical-variation-ilyin-zhenevsky-variation-modern-main-line