Annotated chess game

Personally, I've been looking at the Dutch as a playable alternative to the King's Indian Defence for exactly that reason. To avoid replaying the same defence against opponents. Also, the Dutch is less popular the KID, so your opponent may be less familiar with the theory.

This used to be called the Leningrad Dutch. I've played it on GK myself (once), though with a different move order.

Perhaps but it is worth remembering that in Dutch positions, Black is making a claim for control of the e4 square. This move does defend the pawn on f5.

It is still called the Leningrad Dutch. www.chessgames.com

OK, it is common but why is it common? - What are White's (and by implication your) intentions?

I am already intending Nc3 and e2-e4.

To get control of the centre. If white can safely play both d2-d4 and e2-e4 in the opening, it gives a certain amount of central control. Of course black can then fight back - for instance as black I play the Sicilian Defence and The Grunfeld, both of which white often plays both d2-d4 and e2-e4.

I'd quote Nimzo here "the threat is stronger than the execution" and suggest 6.Nf3 instead. e4 does not have to be played immediately. 6.Qc2 also possible.

6. Nf3 is the most popular move in this position. 6. Qc2 is rarely played - less than 6. e4

There doesn't seem to be anything against 6...fxe4.

The duke is right fxe4 is eminently playable, as is Nxe4

6. ..., fxe4 7. Nxe4, Nxe4 8. Bxe4, 0-0 and Black manages to castle and exchange away the f-pawn. The castle can then serve the defensive purposes for the King and the attacking idea of the rook controlling the f file. Exactly the sort of thing that I want to do in the Dutch.

Exchanging on e4 with 6....fxe4 does leave the pawn on e7 weak - backward on a semi-open file. However it is more common than castling.

But 7.exf5 was worth a look: [a] 7...Bxf5 8.Bxb7 Nbd7 9.Bg2! or [b] 7...gxf5 8.Nge2 e5 9.Bg5 with maybe a small plus for White.

agreed 7.exf5 with a small plus.

On my opening database there are two games with 7. exf5 - one white win and one black win. I am not convinced it is better than 7. Ng-e2. There are 3 games with 7. Ng-e2 on the Gameknot opening database - 2 black wins and a draw - but I still think this set-up is sound for white.

black is trying to transpose into the Antoshin variation, which I've played a few times myself. It requires some precision.

Presumably you mean the Hort-Antoshin system 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nc3 Qc7 www.365chess.com

Black COULD have exchanged on e4, which looks OK. There must be a deep plan behind this Q-move if 'normal' reckoning indicates it is leads to White advantage, yet it has led to Black victories.

As it was part of the plan and no reason leaps out and says 'gotcha' to such a move, let's see what Black has - if anything.

10...Ne4 must have come in for consideration.