Dutch Defense: Bladel Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
6,682 games: White 43.7% / Draw 4.9% / Black 51.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,7791,779 | ||
| 1,4711,471 | ||
| 628628 | ||
| 500500 | ||
| 416416 | ||
| 375375 | ||
| 375375 | ||
| 344344 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.27 White is better
Best play: 4. e4 d6 5. exf5 Bxf5 6. h3 Bg7 7. g4 Bd7 8. Bg2 Nf7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Bladel Variation (ECO A84, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Nh6 (3 moves).
In 6,682 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.7%, Black 51.4% and 4.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nf3, in 27% of those games.
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: Bladel Variation
4. e4 scores best for White: 50.3%, with White winning 47.5% and Black 46.9% of 1,471 games. The most played, 4. Nf3, scores 44.8% in 1,779 games, and 4. h3 scores lowest: 40.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. e4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Bladel Variation (A84)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-bladel-variation