A84
Dutch Defense
1. d4 f5 2. c4
In the Dutch Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Dutch Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code A84. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 f5 2. c4: 3 moves in, with Black to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
Dozens of named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
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Analyze my games free →Variations of the Dutch Defense
- Alapin Variation1. d4 f5 2. Qd3
- Hevendehl Gambit1. d4 f5 2. g4 e5
- Hopton Attack1. d4 f5 2. Bg5
- Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit1. d4 f5 2. h3 Nf6 3. g4
- Kingfisher Gambit1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 d5 3. e4
- Korchnoi Attack1. d4 f5 2. h3
- Krejcik Gambit1. d4 f5 2. g4
- Krejcik Gambit, Tate Gambit1. d4 f5 2. g4 fxg4 3. e4 d5 4. Nc3
- Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Classical Line1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 e6 3. g4
- Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Leningrad1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 g6 3. g4
- Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Modern1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 d6 3. g4
- Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Stonewall1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 d5 3. g4
- Omega-Isis Gambit1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 e5
- Raphael Variation1. d4 f5 2. Nc3
- Senechaud Gambit1. d4 f5 2. Bf4 e6 3. g4
- Spielmann Gambit1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g4
- Blackburne Variation1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nh3
- Fianchetto Attack1. d4 f5 2. g3
- Leningrad Variation, Carlsbad Variation1. d4 f5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nh3
- Leningrad, Basman System1. d4 f5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O Nh6
- Semi-Leningrad Variation1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6
- Blackmar's Second Gambit1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3
- Staunton Gambit1. d4 f5 2. e4
- Staunton Gambit Accepted1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4
- Staunton Gambit, American Attack1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nd2
- Staunton Gambit, Tartakower Variation1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g4
- Staunton Gambit, Alekhine Variation1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 g6 5. h4
- Staunton Gambit, Chigorin Variation1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 c6
- Staunton Gambit, Lasker Variation1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 g6 5. f3
- Staunton Gambit, Nimzowitsch Variation1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 b6
- Bellon Gambit1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. e4
- Bladel Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Nh6
- Classical Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6
- Krause Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6
- Normal Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6
- Rubinstein Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3
- Queen's Knight Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3
- Classical1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3
- Fianchetto Variation1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3
- Hort-Antoshin System1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nc3 Qc7
Related openings
Dutch DefenseDutch Defense: Alapin VariationDutch Defense: Hevendehl GambitDutch Defense: Hopton AttackDutch Defense: Janzen-Korchnoi GambitDutch Defense: Kingfisher GambitDutch Defense: Korchnoi AttackDutch Defense: Krejcik GambitDutch Defense: Krejcik Gambit, Tate GambitDutch Defense: Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Classical Line