ECO A80 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation

1. d4 f5 2. Qd3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… Nc6+0.30

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation (A80), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. Qd3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.30).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.302… Nc6 3. Nf3 e6 4. e4 fxe4 5. Qxe4 d5 6. Qe2 Bd6 7. g3
  2. +0.302… e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e4 fxe4 5. Qxe4 d5 6. Qe2 Bd6 7. g3
  3. +0.442… d6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Nf6 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 c6 7. Nc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. Qd3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black, continuing 3. Nf3 e6 4. e4 fxe4 5. Qxe4 d5 6. Qe2 Bd6 7. g3. White is slightly better (+0.30). The next best moves are 2… e6 (+0.30) and 2… d6 (+0.44).
Is the Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.30: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation?
A80. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).