Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation
3/3
1.d4f52.Nc3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation1.2M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
75%869k47%
14%158k46%
3.5%41k44%
1.2%14k43%
0.6%6.8k41%
0.4%5.1k42%
0.2%2.3k36%
0.1%1.5k47%
0.1%99733%
Famous games in this line3.3k master games
So, W. (2770) – Carlsen, M. (2855)Giri, Anish (2764) – Caruana, Fabiano (2835)Aronian, L. (2792) – Giri, A. (2782)Gelfand, B. (2777) – Caruana, F. (2782)Aronian, L. (2789) – Nepomniachtchi, I. (2751)Gelfand, Boris (2755) – Nakamura, Hikaru (2784)Gelfand, B. (2761) – Nakamura, Hi (2776)Grischuk, Alexander (2785) – Svidler, Peter (2746)Heroes of this opening Giri, Anish · Gelfand, B. · Nakamura, Hi
- Family
- Dutch Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A80
- Line
- 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Dutch DefenseExplore all 69 Dutch Defense lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov Attack, Dutch System2…d5 · 1 deeper lineDutch Defense: Spielmann Gambit2…Nf6 3.g4Dutch Defense: Kingfisher Gambit2…d5 3.e4
Nearby lines in the family
From the archives
Botvinnik and Bronstein both played the Dutch in their 1951 world-championship match. Alekhine tried it against Euwe in 1935 and lost the 'Pearl of Zandvoort' with it, which is the honest half of its reputation. 1...f5 grabs kingside space before White finishes tying a shoe — at the cost of weakening the king forever.
Study this opening