Dutch Defense: Krause Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
16,317 games: White 53.0% / Draw 4.7% / Black 42.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,1725,172 | ||
| 2,9692,969 | ||
| 2,5722,572 | ||
| 2,1472,147 | ||
| 1,5871,587 | ||
| 659659 | ||
| 423423 | ||
| 380380 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.86 White is better
Best play: 5. d5 Ne5 6. Bf4 Nf7 7. g3 g6 8. Bg2 Bg7 9. O-O O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Krause Variation (ECO A84, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Queen's Knight Variation, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6 (4 moves).
In 16,317 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.0%, Black 42.3% and 4.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bg5, in 32% 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: Krause Variation
5. d5 scores best for White: 58.7%, with White winning 55.9% and Black 38.5% of 2,572 games. The most played, 5. Bg5, scores 55.0% in 5,172 games, and 5. e3 scores lowest: 52.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. d5.
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: Krause Variation (A84)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-krause-variation