Chessy
Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack — play White with confidence
After 1.d4 f5 2.g3, you are choosing a calm fianchetto setup against the Dutch. The position is already one where White has a small edge, so your job is not to force something flashy — it is to develop cleanly, keep your king safe, and make Black prove the looseness of the f-pawn advance. The drill below lets you practise the critical position where Black is to move and learn how to respond to the most common setups.
Play the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the key position against the engine. Create a free account to train this opening and repeat the lines until they feel natural.
Create a free account →What the position is asking for
This opening is about patience and good piece placement. With g3, you prepare a fianchetto and aim to challenge Black’s kingside ambitions in a stable way. The structure is usually quiet at first, but it often becomes a game of who finishes development more smoothly and who creates better pressure in the centre. Because Black has already committed to f5, you can often keep a small plus by developing naturally and avoiding unnecessary risks.
The engine’s main answer
Stockfish rates this +0.53, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here, so you should feel encouraged to continue with sensible development rather than force tactics. The engine’s best move here is Nf6; the continuation given is Nf6 Nf3 e6 Bg2. In practical terms, Black is trying to keep the position flexible, so your task is to complete development and make sure your bishop and knight come out smoothly.
What the database says
The practical results are healthy for White in this exact position. Across 167,415 games, White wins 52.4%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 43.4%. That does not mean the opening wins by force, but it does show that White scores well when the setup is handled correctly. The position is playable and sensible for White, especially if you like calm, strategic openings where development matters more than memorised forcing lines.
Most common replies to know
The most-played continuations from here are worth recognising because they show Black’s main plans. The most common is Nf6 with 116,069 games, where White scores 51.6%. Other frequent choices are e6 with 24,198 games and White scoring 53.2%, d5 with 9,221 games and White scoring 53.1%, g6 with 7,283 games and White scoring 52.6%, d6 with 3,250 games and White scoring 56.4%, and Nc6 with 2,072 games and White scoring 60.3%. The takeaway is simple: Black has several ways to continue, but none of them refute your setup.
Results across 167,415 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 116,069 | 51.6% |
| e6 | 24,198 | 53.2% |
| d5 | 9,221 | 53.1% |
| g6 | 7,283 | 52.6% |
| d6 | 3,250 | 56.4% |
| Nc6 | 2,072 | 60.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack good for White?
Yes. In this exact position, Stockfish gives White a small edge with **+0.53**. The database also shows White scoring well overall, so it is a practical choice if you want a sound opening with clear development ideas.
What is the main plan for White after 1.d4 f5 2.g3?
The main idea is to finish development smoothly, especially with a fianchettoed bishop and safe king placement. You are not trying to win immediately; you are trying to keep a stable advantage and make Black work for equal chances.
What is Black’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is **Nf6**. The listed continuation is **Nf6 Nf3 e6 Bg2**, which shows Black aiming for flexible development while White completes the kingside setup.
Which replies are most common in practice?
The most-played continuations are **Nf6**, **e6**, **d5**, **g6**, **d6**, and **Nc6**. They all lead to playable positions, and the results in the database suggest White does well against them with accurate development.
How many games feature the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack?
Over 167K Lichess games have reached the Dutch Defense: Fianchetto Attack position. White wins 52.4%, Black wins 43.4%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.