ECO A84 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Classical Variation

1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6

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

3. g3+0.58

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation (A84), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. g3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.583. g3 Bb4+ 4. Nd2 d5 5. a3 Bd6 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. b4 O-O
  2. +0.563. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 d6 7. Bg2 O-O
  3. +0.493. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bd2 d5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. Nf3 dxc4

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2
  • 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7
  • 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3
  • 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O
  • 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. g3 for White, continuing Bb4+ 4. Nd2 d5 5. a3 Bd6 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. b4 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.58). The next best moves are 3. Nf3 (+0.56) and 3. Nc3 (+0.49).
Is the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.58: 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: Classical Variation?
A84. 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+).