Dutch Defense: Queen's Knight Variation

Main line

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.h4 Bg7 5.h5 Nxh5 6.e4

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.

Move by move

The first 11 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

1. 1.d4 White advances the pawn to d4, staking a strong claim in the center right from the start and opening lines for the bishop and queen to develop.
2. 1...f5 Black pushes the pawn to f5, fighting for central space and starting the Dutch Defense. This aggressive pawn move shows Black wants an active game.
3. 2.c4 White plays c4, adding a second pawn to the center. Together with d4, these two pawns give White a powerful grip on the middle of the board.
4. 2...Nf6 The knight jumps to f6, a great central square. It helps defend against White's pawns and eyes important squares in the heart of the board.
5. 3.Nc3 White brings the knight out to c3, developing a strong piece toward the center. The knight supports the d4 pawn and eyes the important e4 square.
6. 3...g6 Black nudges the pawn to g6, making room to develop the bishop to g7. This fianchetto setup puts the bishop on a long, powerful diagonal.
7. 4.h4 White boldly advances the h-pawn to h4, gaining space on the kingside and immediately challenging Black's setup. This aggressive push keeps Black on their toes.
8. 4...Bg7 Black develops the bishop to g7, completing the fianchetto. Sitting on g7, the bishop aims down the long diagonal and helps protect the king.
9. 5.h5 White pushes the pawn forward to h5, pressing on the kingside and threatening to undermine Black's pawn structure. White is looking for action on the wing.
10. 5...Nxh5 Black captures the pawn on h5 with the knight, winning a free pawn. The knight moves to an active square and Black gains a material advantage.
11. 6.e4 White pushes the pawn to e4, seizing more central space. With pawns on c4, d4, and e4, White dominates the center and gains a lot of room.

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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.

Most played continuations (800-1000 rating)

After 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6:

• Nf3 — played 36.2% of the time (White wins 46.2%, draws 1.8%, Black wins 52%)
• Bg5 — played 22.4% of the time (White wins 48.7%, draws 2.2%, Black wins 49.1%)
• e3 — played 13.2% of the time (White wins 46.3%, draws 0.6%, Black wins 53.1%)

Related openings

• Dutch Defense
• Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation
• Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack

Frequently asked questions

Why is e4 such an important break here?

Because f5 only makes sense as part of a fight for e4. If White plays e4 successfully and the pawns come off, Black is left with a weakened kingside and no compensating central influence. Nearly every move in Black's plan — ...Nf6, ...d6, sometimes ...Ne4 — is about making that break unattractive.

How dangerous is an early h4 for Black?

Genuinely dangerous in the sharpest lines. With Black committed to a kingside fianchetto, h4-h5 attacks the pawn structure protecting the king before Black has finished developing, and the resulting positions are forcing. Anyone playing the Dutch should know these lines specifically rather than by feel.

Is this the most testing line against the Dutch?

It is the most direct. The fianchetto systems are regarded as the most reliable way to a small edge, whereas this approach asks a sharper question and gives Black more to go wrong against — and more to play for if the centre holds.