Dutch Defense: Semi-Leningrad Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
162,573 games: White 49.2% / Draw 7.0% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 62,23862K | ||
| 32,93233K | ||
| 23,73524K | ||
| 10,50311K | ||
| 7,7407,740 | ||
| 6,4046,404 | ||
| 4,9584,958 | ||
| 4,1804,180 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.49 White is slightly better
Best play: 4. c4 d6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O c6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. b3 Qc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Semi-Leningrad Variation (ECO A81, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 (3 moves).
In 162,573 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.2%, Black 43.8% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nf3, in 38% of those games.
It branches into 2 named variations; the most played are Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Warsaw Variation and Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Matulovic Variation.
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How to play against the Dutch Defense: Semi-Leningrad Variation
4. c3 scores best for White: 55.6%, with White winning 51.8% and Black 40.7% of 11K games. The most played, 4. Nf3, scores 52.8% in 62K games, and 4. c4 scores lowest: 51.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. c4.
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
Variations (2)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Semi-Leningrad Variation (A81)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-semi-leningrad-variation