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. 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: 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+).