Dutch Defense
ECO A80-A99intermediate
The Dutch Defense, 1.d4 f5, stakes a claim to e4 and announces kingside intentions on move one. Its three systems suit three temperaments: the Leningrad (...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6) plays a King's Indian with an extra attacking pawn already advanced; the Stonewall (...d5, ...e6, ...c6, ...f5) plants an unbreakable pawn wall and attacks behind it; the Classical (...e6, ...Be7, ...d6) keeps flexibility. The cost — a slightly airy king and the weakened e6 square — is exactly what White's anti-Dutch systems (2.Bg5!, early g4 gambits) try to exploit.
Main line
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 d5 5.Nf3 c6 6.O-O Bd6 7.b3 Qe7
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 256 | 54.3% | 10.5% | 35.2% | 1.d4 f5 |
| 600-800 | 62 | 46.8% | 8.1% | 45.2% | 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 |
| 800-1000 | 25 | 44% | 8% | 48% | 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bg5 |
| 1000-1200 | 29 | 51.7% | 3.4% | 44.8% | 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 |
| 1200-1400 | 155 | 51.6% | 2.6% | 45.8% | 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 |
Most played continuations (400-600 rating)
After 1.d4 f5:
- e3 — played 23% of the time (White wins 50.9%, draws 8.5%, Black wins 40.7%)
- Nf3 — played 16.4% of the time (White wins 57.1%, draws 16.7%, Black wins 26.2%)
- Bf4 — played 9.8% of the time (White wins 72%, draws 0%, Black wins 28%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dutch Defense risky?
More than most defenses, by design — 1...f5 weakens the king's diagonal before developing a single piece, so Black must know the anti-Dutch tries (2.Bg5, 2.e4!?, 2.Qd3) cold. In return, against the main 2.g3 lines Black gets attacking chances few defenses to 1.d4 can match.
Which Dutch system should I choose?
Leningrad if you like King's Indian-style dynamism and don't mind theory; Stonewall if you want one fixed structure with clear plans (the classic ...Qe8-h5 attack) and minimal memorization. The Stonewall is the easier teacher; the Leningrad the stronger fighter.
Learn the Dutch Defense for free
Interactive move-by-move training, ELO-calibrated sparring bots that actually play these lines, and spaced-repetition reviews. No installs, free to start.