New Release: Play the Leningrad Dutch - A Complete Opening Guide by GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy and GM Pier Luigi Basso
Modern Chess announces the release of Play the Leningrad Dutch, a comprehensive opening course designed for players seeking active winning chances with the black pieces against 1.d4. This first installment focuses specifically on the Leningrad System, with authors GM Vitaly Bernadskiy and GM Pier Luigi Basso providing practical guidance based on tournament experience.
Meet the Authors
GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy brings extensive open tournament expertise to this project. As a specialist in competitive open tournaments, Bernadskiy understands the practical demands of playing for wins with Black in these challenging environments. His tournament success stems from thorough opening preparation combined with deep positional understanding.
GM Pier Luigi Basso contributes his analytical expertise and pedagogical approach, helping structure the material for maximum learning efficiency.
Course Content and Structure
The course offers a systematic approach to the Leningrad Dutch through:
- 16 theoretical chapters covering all major White responses
- 30 interactive test positions for practical training
- Memory Booster section for retention
- Video version (5 hours 9 minutes) with detailed explanations
- TO GO versions for each chapter, enabling quick pre-game preparation
The Leningrad System Approach
The course centers on the classical setup: 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.c4 d6 7.Nc3 c6. From this position, the authors examine White's main continuations including:
- 8.d5 (Chapter 1 - main line)
- 8.b4, 8.b3, 8.Qb3, 8.Qc2 (Chapters 3-6)
- Various piece developments and alternative plans
The course also addresses White's early deviations such as 2.c4, positional setups with Nh3, and other less common but practical tries.
Practical Tournament Focus
Given Bernadskiy's open tournament background, the course emphasizes practical decision-making over pure theory. Each chapter includes guidance on typical pawn structures, piece coordination, and the dynamic balance between Black's kingside attacking chances and White's central control.
The TO GO format proves particularly valuable for tournament players, offering condensed preparation material that can be reviewed quickly before games.
Part Two: Complete Dutch Coverage
This release represents the first part of a two-volume series. The upcoming second course will address all other White responses to 1.d4 f5, providing Black players with a complete Dutch Defense repertoire. Together, these courses will offer comprehensive coverage for players committed to the Dutch Defense.
Educational Features
The interactive test positions challenge students to find key moves in critical positions, while the Memory Booster helps consolidate important variations. The combination of written analysis, video instruction, and interactive elements accommodates different learning preferences.