From: hwr@intercal.com (Hanon W. Russell)
Subject: Book Review: The Leningrad Dutch
Organization: Chessnews list (chessnews-request@tssi.com)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 01:22:15 GMT


THE LENINGRAD DUTCH, by ICCF Master Roy DeVault, 1992 Chess 
Digest, Inc., Flexicover, English Algebraic notation, 266pp., 
$17.50 list

Although over-the-board players may not readily recognize the 
name of Roy DeVault, correspondence players will already be 
familiar with the name of this postal IM and analyst. His solid 
reputation for clarity and thoroughness is evident throughout 
this book.

The Dutch Defense is characterized by 1 d4 f5. The Leningrad 
Dutch (surely even the dramatic events in the former Soviet 
Union should not lead to the renaming of this defense to the 
"St. Petersburg Dutch"!) is identified by the adding of the 
fianchetto of the King's Bishop by Black to the 1...f5 Dutch 
proper. Although theory has always recognized it as a very sharp 
line, it has also been somewhat suspect of it because of the 
resulting airy Black King's position.

DeVault makes a very good case for the defensive viability of 
this system. Drawing from many sources, he leads the reader and 
student through a detailed discussion of both the main lines and 
the more unusual lines, with the ultimate objective of 
presenting an overall coherent view of this counter-punching 
reaction by Black to 1 d4. Note that early divergencies by White 
(e.g., the Staunton Gambit, 2 Bg5, etc.) are not covered.

After a brief historical and strategic introduction, the 
material is packed into fourteen well researched chapters, ten 
focusing on the main lines as determined by White, with the 
remaining four examining lesser played lines. The author's 
evaluations are fair; certain lines that may pose problems for 
Black are identified, with no attempt to "sugar-coat" 
variations. Thus, in the brief look at the "counter-fianchetto" 
line for White (6 b3), the author points out that it has worked 
well for White. For all that, we would have still liked to have 
then seen the author's suggestions for equalizing; the absence 
thereof simply reflects an area ripe for independent research.

There is quite a bit of poison in these lines, for both sides. 
Witness the following game taken from chapter eight (extensive 
notes and theory has been omitted): 

Rodriguez-Villa
Correspondence, 1986
1 d4 f5 2 g3 Nf6 3 Bg2 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 O-O O-O 6 c4 d6 7 Nc3 Nc6 
8 d5 Ne5 9 Ne5 de5 10 e4 f4 11 b4 g5 12 Re1 a6 13 Bb2 Qe8 14 Rc1 
Ng4 15 f3 Qh5 16 h3 Nf2 17 Kf2 fg3 18 Kg3 Qh4 19 Kh2 Bh3 20 Rf1 
Bg2 21 Kg2 g4 22 Qe2 Rf4 23 Kg1 gf3 24 Rf3 Rg4 25 Kf1 Qh1 26 Kf2 
Rg2 27 Ke3 Bh6 28 Kd3 Re2 29 Rg3 Kf7 0-1

Although there are a few technical problems (the diagrams are 
deplorable, quite in contrast to the normal high quality 
diagrams in most Chess Digest publications and all of a sudden 
the page numbering does an about face at page 243), this is an 
excellent production which will greatly assist any aspiring 
Leningrad Dutch player and nicely complement any regular Dutch 
defense advocate.

***************************************************************
The books which are reviewed by Mr. Russell are furnished 
courtesy of the United States Chess Federation. The views 
expressed are those of Mr. Russell and do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the United States Chess Federation. You may 
order this book and/or obtain the latest catalog of chess books 
and equipment from the U.S.C.F., 186 Rt. 9W, New Windsor, NY 
12553 or call toll-free 1-800-388-5464.

Copyright 1992 Hanon W. Russell
All Rights Reserved
***************************************************************


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