Chess Openings Lab
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Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation

The Dutch Variation of the Zukertort is 1...f5, Black taking control of e4 with the f-pawn right away. White aims for d4, c4 and a quick bishop to f4 or b2, while Black builds a Leningrad setup with ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7.

Moves
1.Nf3 f5
ECO
A04
Engine
+0.47 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,625 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 2.d4 and 3.Bf4, as in the top engine line, then e3 and c4 for a calm space edge.
  • 2.b3 with Bb2 aims the bishop down the long diagonal at Black's kingside after ...g6.
  • 2.c4 and Nc3 lead to Nimzo-like play where a3 asks the b4 bishop to trade on c3.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7, then castle short and prepare ...d6 and ...e5.
  • Against 2.c4 consider ...e6 and ...Bb4, pinning the c3 knight to fight for e4.
  • Keep an eye on e4: the f5 pawn and f6 knight together make it Black's best square.

Plans and pawn structure

The battle is over e4 and e5. White develops with Bf4, e3 and c4, castles short and expands on the queenside with Nc3 and b4. Black castles behind the g7 bishop and prepares ...e5, sometimes with a queen lift toward the kingside. If Black gets ...e5 in cleanly, the f-file and the long diagonal give good play. If White controls e5 and keeps d4 firm, Black's f5 pawn mostly leaves holes on e6 and e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.47: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.47 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7
  2. +0.45 2.b3 d6 3.d4 g6 4.g3 Bg7
  3. +0.44 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,625 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.7%.

under 120049.6%
1200–159952.1%
1600–199952.6%
2000 and up56.4%

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

Where it goes next

  • Lisitsyn Gambit2.e4 · rare
  • Lisitsyn Gambit Deferred2.d3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 2.d4 and develop with Bf4 and e3, keeping control of e5. Do not chase quick tactics with e4 unless you know the Lisitsyn Gambit lines. Aim for c4 and Nc3 to gain space and blunt Black's ...e5 plans.

Questions

What are the moves of the Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation?

The Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation starts 1.Nf3 f5. Its ECO code is A04.

Is the Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.47 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,625 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.7%. A fighting choice for Dutch players, though it demands care with king safety after the f-pawn moves.

What is the main idea of the Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation?

Black uses the f-pawn to control e4 and steers toward Dutch structures. White aims to keep control of e5 with d4 and Bf4 and gain space on the queenside.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d4, with b3 and c4 close behind. 2.d4 takes the center, and after ...Nf6 the bishop to f4 controls e5 before Black can play ...e5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.