Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Carlsbad Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
2,300 games: White 53.1% / Draw 6.0% / Black 40.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,4441,444 | ||
| 407407 | ||
| 170170 | ||
| 8686 | ||
| 5656 | ||
| 4343 | ||
| 3838 | ||
| 2323 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.44 White is slightly better
Best play: 4... Nc6 5. d5 Ne5 6. a4 Nf6 7. a5 d6 8. O-O O-O 9. Ng5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Carlsbad Variation (ECO A81, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nh3 (4 moves).
In 2,300 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 40.9% and 6.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Nf6, in 63% 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: Leningrad Variation, Carlsbad Variation
4…c6 scores best for Black: 44.7%, with Black winning 42.4% and White 52.9% of 170 games. The most played, 4…Nf6, scores 44.1% in 1,444 games, and 4…d6 scores lowest: 41.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 4…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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Leningrad Variation, Carlsbad Variation (A81)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-leningrad-variation-carlsbad-variation