Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
63,185 games: White 50.1% / Draw 4.4% / Black 45.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 18,18318K | ||
| 14,91115K | ||
| 13,30413K | ||
| 10,56511K | ||
| 5,3775,377 | ||
| 549549 | ||
| 5151 | ||
| 4848 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 6, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.35 White is slightly better
Best play: 2... Nc6 3. Nf3 e6 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. d5 Nb4 7. Qb1
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation (ECO A80, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 (2 moves).
In 63,185 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.1%, Black 45.5% and 4.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…e6, in 29% of those games.
It branches into 4 named variations; the most played are Dutch Defense: Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Classical Line and Dutch Defense: Manhattan Gambit, Anti-Stonewall.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation
2…d5 scores best for Black: 50.4%, with Black winning 47.8% and White 47.0% of 13K games. The most played, 2…e6, scores 46.9% in 18K games, and 2…g6 scores lowest: 45.9%. Stockfish's first choice is 2…Nc6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (4)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Alapin Variation (A80)”. Lichess data as of 6 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-alapin-variation