Chess Openings Lab
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Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation

The Raphael Variation is 2.Nc3 against the Dutch, developing the knight to c3 before c4 so White can push e4 quickly. White wants to break with e4 or play Bg5 or Bf4 systems, while Black often answers with ...d5 to stop e4 and build a Stonewall.

Moves
1.d4 f5 2.Nc3
ECO
A80
Engine
+0.40 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,731 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Push e4 to open the center against Black's f-pawn, as in the line 2...Nc6 3.e4.
  • Against ...d5, play Bf4, e3 and Bd3, then reroute the knight with Nce2 toward f4.
  • Against ...Nf6, the engine likes Bg5 and Bxf6, giving Black doubled pawns, then e3 and h4.
  • The knight on c3 blocks the c-pawn, so plans with c4 are off for now.

Black

  • 2...d5 is the main answer: it stops e4 and builds a Stonewall with ...e6 and ...Nf6.
  • 2...Nf6 is fine too, but expect Bg5 and Bxf6 to damage your pawns.
  • Avoid 2...Nc6. After 3.e4 fxe4 4.d5, the knight is driven to e5 and White regains e4 with a clear edge.
  • In the Stonewall, plant a knight on e4 and develop the bishop to d6.

Plans and pawn structure

The knight on c3 points at e4, so the main question is whether Black lets White break there. After ...d5, the game becomes a Stonewall where White cannot use c4 easily, so White plays Bf4, e3, Bd3 and reroutes the knight with Nce2 and Nf4 to pressure e6 and d5. After ...Nf6, Bg5 and Bxf6 change the structure and give White long-term targets. Black's Stonewall plan is ...Nf6, ...Bd6, ...O-O and ...Ne4.

Where the engine's main line heads: Black Stonewall: pawns d5, e6, f5. Black's Stonewall: pawns on d5, e6 and f5. A knight lands on e4; the e5 square and the dark-squared bishop are the long-term worries.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.40: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.40 2...d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Bd3
  2. +0.44 2...Nf6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3
  3. +1.10 2...Nc6 3.e4 fxe4 4.d5 Ne5 5.Nxe4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,731 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

under 120051.2%
1200–159954.6%
1600–199951.4%
2000 and up55.4%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Kingfisher Gambit2...d5 · rare
  • Spielmann Gambit2...Nf6 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play 2...d5 or 2...Nf6. Do not play 2...Nc6, which allows 3.e4 and a clear White edge once the knight is pushed around by d5. Answer Bf4 with ...e6 and ...Nf6, and challenge the bishop with ...Bd6 when ready.

Questions

What are the moves of the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation?

The Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation starts 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3. Its ECO code is A80.

Is the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.40 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,731 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A good surprise for White players who want to avoid main-line Dutch theory; Black is fine if ready with ...d5.

What is the main idea of the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation?

White develops the queen knight to c3 to push e4 quickly. Black's best answer is ...d5 or ...Nf6 to stop it, while 2...Nc6 allows e4 and d5 with a clear White advantage.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with Nf6 and Nc6 close behind. 2...d5 stops e4 at once and leads to a Stonewall where White's c-pawn is stuck behind the knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.