Netherlands Variation

In the Netherlands Variation, also called the Netherlands Defense, Black supports the captured pawn on e4 with 3...f5 instead of developing by 3...Nf6 or 3...Bf5. The name comes from a transposition to the Dutch Defense: 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 d5 3. e4 dxe4 reaches the same position. The f-pawn keeps the extra material, but it loosens the king's diagonal from h5 to e8 and gives up control of e5, which becomes a hole.

The standard gambit continuation 4. f3 is by far the most common reply. It attacks e4 again and invites 4...exf3 5. Nxf3, though Black can also hold the pawn with 4...Nf6. One alternative is 4. Bf4, which stops ...e5 before White plays f3. Another is 4. Bg5, which discourages ...Nf6 and targets the weakened kingside. After 4. Bg5 h6 5. Qh5+, Black cannot interpose ...g6 and must play 5...Kd7, and 6. Bc4 leaves the king exposed; 4...Nf6 is the correct answer. Engines regard the position as balanced, and White scores somewhat better than Black in online play.