ECO A80 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation

1. d4 f5 2. Nc3

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… Nf6+0.50

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation (A80), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.50).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.502… Nf6 3. Bg5 d5 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. e3 c6 6. Bd3 Na6 7. Qf3
  2. +0.522… d5 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 a6 5. g4 Nc6 6. gxf5 exf5 7. h4
  3. +1.102… e6 3. e4 Bb4 4. exf5 exf5 5. Bd3 d6 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Qh3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black, continuing 3. Bg5 d5 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. e3 c6 6. Bd3 Na6 7. Qf3. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 2… d5 (+0.52) and 2… e6 (+1.10).
Is the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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: Raphael 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+).