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Dutch Defense Guide

Dutch Defense Guide

Welcome to the Dutch Defense, a chess opening for Black that starts with the moves 1.d4 f5. The Dutch Defense is a sound chess opening, ideal to throw White’s preparation out the window and play for the win on the kingside.

Dutch Defense moves

The main idea of the move 1…f5 in the Dutch Defense is to take immediate control of the important square e4.

It prevents white from playing with a super strong center at the beginning, but White will be able to gain control afterwards.

In the Dutch Defense, while White can better develop their pieces on the Queenside, Black focuses on the Kingside.

The Dutch Defense is a perfectly sound opening, although Black has to be aware of some weaknesses in their position, such as an overly exposed King and allowing White to gain too much control of the center.

Most Played Line in the Dutch Defense

1.d4 f5

Dutch Defense first moves

The Dutch Defense is here.

2.g3 Nf6

Dutch Defense Nf6

In the vast majority of games played by masters, they choose to play with a fianchetto on g2.

3.Bg2 g6

Dutch Defense Nf6

Black also chooses to play with a fianchetto on the g file.

4.Nf3 Bg7

Dutch Defense Nf6

Natural development of pieces by both sides.

5.O-O O-O

Dutch Defense Nf6

Kings are safe and the development continues.

6.c4 d6

Dutch Defense Nf6

White extends its control of the center, while Black frees the light-squared Bishop and prepares to eventually play e5 and challenge White’s center.

7.Nc3 c6

Dutch Defense Nf6

Both sides continue to move their troops to the center of the board.

8.d5 e5

Dutch Defense Nf6

White decides to venture into enemy territory, while Black ignores the move and occupies the important e5 square.

9.dxe6 Bxe6

Dutch Defense Nf6

White captures en passant, and Black takes with the Bishop, developing yet another piece.

Trap in the Dutch Defense

A trap in the Dutch Defense you need to be aware of starts with the following moves: 1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 h6 3.Bh4 g5 4.Bg3 f4.

Dutch Defense Nf6

At this point it might look like you have won a piece, but White has a trick under the sleeve.

5.e3 fxg3?? 6.Qh5#

Dutch Defense Nf6

You should make sure to not allow White to check mate you, and instead of 5…fxg3 you can play 5…h5 or 5…Bg7.

Dutch Defense Nf6

Classical Dutch Defense

In the Classical Variation, Black plays with the dark-squared Bishop on e7 instead of g7, and a pawn structure with e6.

Dutch Defense Nf6

Stonewall Dutch Defense

Probably the most popular choice for Black when playing the Dutch Defense is the Stonewall Dutch.

In the Stonewall, Black places its central pawns on f5-e6-d5-c6, creating a mega solid pawn structure based on controlling as many light squares as possible.

The Stonewall can be reached from many move orders, for instance: 1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 c6 5.Nf3 d5

Dutch Defense Nf6

Leningrad Dutch Defense

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6

Dutch Defense Nf6

4.Nf3 Bg7 5.O-O O-O 6.c4 d6

Dutch Defense Nf6

In the Leningrad Dutch Defense, Black plays with the Bishop on g7 and with the pawn on d6.

Below, GM Miloje Ratkovic explains how to play the Leningrad Dutch:


Get the full course here

Staunton Gambit

1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4

Dutch Defense Nf6

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 c6 5.f3

Dutch Defense Nf6

The Staunton Gambit can turn into a dangerous gambit if Black is not prepared.

For instance, if Black overcommits to defending the extra pawn, bad things can happen.

The Dutch Defense vs the London System

White might choose to play in a London System fashion with 2.Bf4.

One possible way to approach this by Black is the following:

1 d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6

Dutch Defense Nf6

3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7

Dutch Defense Nf6

5.Be2 O-O

Dutch Defense Nf6

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Overview

Games on Database: 41045
Last Played: Jan 2025
Overall score:
40.1% 29.2% 30.7%

Played frequently by:

White  
Ivan Farago 56 games
Peter Lukacs 41 games
Loek Van Wely 40 games
Black  
Vladimir P Malaniuk 334 games
Thanh Trang Hoang 171 games
Pavel Potapov 134 games

Possible continuations:

2. g3  12302
42.2 % 32.9 % 24.9 %
2. c4  8906
36.1 % 27.3 % 36.7 %
2. Nf3  7387
37.9 % 30.8 % 31.3 %
2. Nc3  4305
44.3 % 28.9 % 26.8 %
2. Bg5  3489
45.1 % 25.5 % 29.3 %
2. e4  2599
39.7 % 23.3 % 37.1 %
2. Bf4  523
38 % 26 % 35.9 %
2. h3  399
38.8 % 24.3 % 36.8 %
2. e3  316
24.4 % 21.5 % 54.1 %
2. g4  300
41 % 21.7 % 37.3 %
2. Qd3  227
40.5 % 22.9 % 36.6 %
2. f4  114
21.9 % 27.2 % 50.9 %
2. c3  57
38.6 % 26.3 % 35.1 %
2. b3  36
47.2 % 16.7 % 36.1 %
2. Nh3  26
34.6 % 26.9 % 38.5 %
2. h4  23
47.8 % 26.1 % 26.1 %
2. d5  13
15.4 % 76.9 %
2. f3  12
41.7 % 25 % 33.3 %
2. Nd2  8
37.5 % 25 % 37.5 %