Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Dutch Defense

Alapin Variation

A80offbeataggressive

  1. 1.d4f5
  2. 2.Qd3
1,183 games47%48%

Rare Dutch Defense sideline in which White plays the queen to d3 on move two to hit the f5-pawn, often answered by gambit play or a Stonewall setup.

Train it in Theoria

About the Alapin Variation

The Alapin Variation meets the Dutch with 2. Qd3, an early queen sortie that attacks the f5-pawn. The most popular reply, 2...Nf6, is known as the Pretzel Gambit: Black leaves the pawn en prise and, after 3. Qxf5 d5, seeks compensation by gaining time against the queen. The solid 2...e6 protects f5 and aims for a Stonewall in which the queen can look misplaced, although White may then try the Manhattan Gambit, 3. g4. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.

Popular continuations