3.  Kt-KB3          P-K3
4.  P-K3            Kt-KB4
5.  Kt-K5           Kt-B3

---------------------------------------
8 | #R |#Kt | #B | #Q | #K | #B |    | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P |    |    |    |    | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    | #P |    | #P |#Kt |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    | #P |^Kt | #P |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    | ^P | ^P |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    |    |    | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P |    |    |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |^Kt | ^B | ^Q | ^K | ^B |    | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 40

White would not accomplish much with 6.  P-KB4.  The more or less symmetrical lineup of the pieces would most likely lead to a draw after Black properly prepares freeing his hemmed-in Bishop with P-QKt3 and B-Kt2.  A better plan would be 6.  P-B3, preventing Kt-K5 and preparing the eventual advance of the King’s Pawn to K4.  In reply to 6. ... , QKt-Q2 White would then rather play 7.  Kt-Q3 than exchange Knights, as after this exchange it would not be too difficult for Black to bring his Bishop into play on the King’s wing via K1.  Both of White’s Bishops would be best placed on Kt2.

This “Stonewall” opening can also be played by White, who is then a move to the good in the variation just shown.  But this opening has practically disappeared from modern tournament games, simply because the QB cannot easily be brought into play.

The following variation is reminiscent of the “Stonewall” in the formation of the centre pawns.  White develops his Queen’s side just as Black did in the opening shown in connection with Diagram 38.

2.  Kt-KB3 P-QB4 3.  P-K3 Kt-QB3 4.  B-Q3 Kt-B3 5.  P-QKt3 P-K3 6.  B-Kt2 B-Q3 7.  QKt-Q2 PxP 8.  PxP Castles

---------------------------------------
8 | #R |    | #B | #Q |    | #R | #K |    |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P |    |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    | #Kt| #B | #P | #Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    |    | ^P |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    | ^P |    | ^B |    | ^Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^B | ^P | ^Kt|    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |    |    | ^Q | ^K |    |    | ^R |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 41

White can now settle his Knight at K5, and initiate a violent King’s side attack after castling, by P-KB4, Q-B3, which could be continued with P-KKt4, K-R1, R-KKt1, and so on.  Once the position in Diagram 41 has been reached, Black’s resources against the dangerous onslaught of the White forces are scanty.  Yet he can retaliate, not by making the simplest and most obvious developing moves, as mentioned before, but in the following way: