Chessy
Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack as White
The Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack starts with an early bishop move that asks Black a direct question. After 1.d4 f5 2.Bg5, Black has to choose a setup, and the position is already tricky to handle well. Stockfish rates this +0.62, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. Use the drill below to learn how to keep the pressure and react to Black’s most common replies.
Play the Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack against the engine
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Create a free account →What this opening is trying to do
With 2.Bg5, White develops quickly and puts immediate pressure on Black’s kingside setup. The idea is simple: make Black think about the f5 pawn and the pieces around it before Black has finished developing. In this kind of position, good play is usually about quick development, steady pressure, and keeping your pieces active rather than drifting into passive manoeuvres. If Black is careless, the opening can give you the easier game.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is g6, continuing g6 Nc3 Bg7 Nf3. That shows Black’s most resilient approach is to build a solid kingside structure and continue developing. For you, the lesson is not to panic if Black chooses that setup: stay calm, develop naturally, and keep your pieces aimed at the kingside. The drill helps you practise the position after Black takes this most principled route.
What the database says
Across 278,311 games at this exact position, White wins 56.5%, draws 3.2%, and Black wins 40.2%. That is a very healthy result for White in practical play. The most-played continuations are Nf6 (131,043 games, White scores 53.6%), h6 (88,060 games, White scores 61.0%), g6 (22,429 games, White scores 51.0%), d5 (12,244 games, White scores 54.3%), d6 (7,231 games, White scores 54.1%), and Nc6 (4,319 games, White scores 62.0%).
Which replies deserve the most attention
The numbers suggest that you will meet a range of setups, but some are much more common than others. Nf6 is by far the main reply, so you should expect to face it often. h6 also appears a lot, and White scores especially well against it in this position. The practical message is clear: know the ideas against the main replies, and do not give Black free development while you chase a tactical fantasy. Keep your position simple, active, and alert for chances to exploit Black’s looseness.
Results across 278,311 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 131,043 | 53.6% |
| h6 | 88,060 | 61.0% |
| g6 | 22,429 | 51.0% |
| d5 | 12,244 | 54.3% |
| d6 | 7,231 | 54.1% |
| Nc6 | 4,319 | 62.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack good for White?
Yes, the position is friendly for White. Stockfish gives it +0.62, a small edge for White, and the database results are also encouraging. That makes it a sensible choice if you want an opening that asks Black immediate questions.
What is Black’s best move after 1.d4 f5 2.Bg5?
The engine’s best move is g6, and the continuation given is g6 Nc3 Bg7 Nf3. That is Black’s most solid way to continue development and meet your bishop move without drifting into trouble.
Which reply do White players see most often?
The most-played reply is Nf6, with 131,043 games. It is the main practical test, so it is worth knowing well in the drill.
Which continuations score especially well for White?
In the listed database results, h6 gives White a strong score at 61.0%, and Nc6 also looks very good for White at 62.0%. Those are useful signs that Black can go wrong quickly if the setup is careless.
How many games feature the Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack?
Over 278K Lichess games have reached the Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack position. White wins 56.5%, Black wins 40.2%, with 3.2% draws — based on real rated games.