The Stonewall Attack is a straightforward and versatile opening for white, ideal for players aiming to reach a 1500 rating.
The Stonewall Attack is similar to the London opening that I have shown to some of you, it begins with either 1. d4 or 1. f4, followed by 2. e3 (or 2. Nf3 if f4 had been played), which breaks the principle of not blocking in your bishop, but for a specific purpose. The goal is to develop the bishop to d3 and then play f4, creating a characteristic zigzag pawn structure (c3, d4, e3, f4) that supports a strong centre and prepares for a kingside attack.
The Stonewall is easy to learn and scales well for players from beginner to advanced levels. It offers a clear plan in the middle game, often involving a rook lift (e.g., Rf3, then Rh3) to launch an attack on the kingside, especially if black castles there. The opening is both positional and tactical, allowing for flexible play styles. It also provides a solid grip on the e5 square, making it hard for black to challenge white’s central control.
For different black responses, such as …d5 or …Nf6, the Stonewall setup remains largely the same, providing consistency and ease of learning. The key moves and ideas include playing c3 to support the d4 pawn, developing the knights to f3 and d2, and preparing for a potential e4 push against setups like the King’s Indian Defense. This opening minimizes the need for extensive memorization and provides a solid foundation for improving players.
Play this opening for at least 10 games to get comfortable with the typical positions and plans. I recommend also saving the moves for reference and study. Focus on developing a consistent structure, understanding the typical plans, and executing tactical opportunities.