ECO A84 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Krause Variation

1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6

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

5. d5+0.92

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation (A84), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.92).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.925. d5 Ne5 6. Bg5 Nxf3+ 7. exf3 e5 8. dxe6 Bxe6 9. Bd3 h6
  2. +0.695. g3 e5 6. d5 Nb8 7. Ng5 Na6 8. e4 fxe4 9. Bg2 Be7
  3. +0.685. Bg5 e5 6. dxe5 Nxe5 7. Nxe5 dxe5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. O-O-O+ Bd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d5 for White, continuing Ne5 6. Bg5 Nxf3+ 7. exf3 e5 8. dxe6 Bxe6 9. Bd3 h6. White is clearly better (+0.92). The next best moves are 5. g3 (+0.69) and 5. Bg5 (+0.68).
Is the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.92: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Dutch Defense: Krause 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+).