Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
129,983 games: White 46.0% / Draw 7.1% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 63,08363K | ||
| 16,45016K | ||
| 12,13312K | ||
| 9,9389,938 | ||
| 6,7316,731 | ||
| 4,8614,861 | ||
| 4,2944,294 | ||
| 2,9312,931 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.74 White is better
Best play: 8. d5 Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Qb3 e6 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. Nb5 e4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation (ECO A89, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Semi-Leningrad Variation, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6 (7 moves).
In 129,983 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.0%, Black 46.9% and 7.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. d5, in 49% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation
The most played answer, 8. d5, also scores best for White: 52.8%, with White winning 49.1% and Black 43.6% of 63K games. Of the main answers, 8. a3 scores lowest: 42.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. d5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation (A89)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-leningrad-variation-matulovic-variation