ECO A84 · Dutch Defense

Dutch Defense: Rubinstein Variation

1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3

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

3… Bb4+0.40

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Dutch Defense: Rubinstein Variation (A84), reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bb4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.403… Bb4 4. Bd2 Nf6 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Nxe4 fxe4 8. Bxb4
  2. +0.473… Nf6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. Nf3 d6 8. a3
  3. +0.533… b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. d5 Bb4 6. Bd2 Nf6 7. Bg2 Na6 8. Nh3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Dutch Defense: Rubinstein Variation?
After 1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bb4 for Black, continuing 4. Bd2 Nf6 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Ne4 7. Nxe4 fxe4 8. Bxb4. White is slightly better (+0.40). The next best moves are 3… Nf6 (+0.47) and 3… b6 (+0.53).
Is the Dutch Defense: Rubinstein Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.40: 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: Rubinstein 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+).