A92

Dutch Defense: Classical Variation 5. Nf3 O-O

Also known as Classical Dutch

Chess diagram: Dutch Defense: Classical Variation after 5…O-O

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

155,277 games: White 51.1% / Draw 6.2% / Black 42.7%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
125,698126K
21,27621K
2,0412,041
1,6881,688
928928
924924
529529
473473

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.49 White is slightly better

Best play: 6. O-O d5 7. Qc2 Ne4 8. Nc3 c6 9. Bf4 Nd7 10. Rad1 a5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Dutch Defense: Classical Variation (ECO A92, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O (5 moves).

In 155,277 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.1%, Black 42.7% and 6.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. O-O, in 81% of those games.

It branches into 3 named variations; the most played are Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation and Dutch Defense: Alekhine Variation. In all, 14 named lines continue from it.

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How to answer 5…O-O

The most played answer, 6. O-O, also scores best for White: 54.4%, with White winning 51.3% and Black 42.4% of 126K games. Of the main answers, 6. Nc3 scores lowest: 52.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. O-O.

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

Variations (3)

All 14 named lines that continue from here

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Classical Variation (A92)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-classical-variation-5