Chessy
Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation as White
After 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3, you reach the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation. Black has chosen an aggressive setup, but the position is already giving White a small edge, so your job is to keep the pressure without drifting into passive play. The drill below puts you in the critical position where Black is to move, and it will train you to respond to the most common continuations with confidence. Focus on good development, central control, and punishing the inaccurate pawn pushes when they appear.
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Create a free account →What the position is asking for
This opening is about taking the fight to Black before they settle into comfort. Stockfish rates this +0.55, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here.
In practical terms, you do not need to force anything. Develop sensibly, keep your pieces active, and make Black prove that the Dutch setup has enough life. The engine’s best move is d5, and the listed continuation d5 Bf4 e6 e3 shows the kind of setup White is aiming for: quick development and pressure on the centre.
The moves Black reaches for most often
The most common continuations are Nf6, e6, d5, g6, d6, and Nc6. The big practical takeaway is that Nf6 is the main reply to know, because it appears most often by far with 659,097 games.
The database also gives you useful score clues. White scores 50.0% against Nf6, 51.0% against e6, 49.1% against d5, 53.3% against g6, 55.0% against d6, and 61.1% against Nc6. Those numbers tell you that some replies are more comfortable for White than others, but your first priority is still to play the position accurately rather than chase statistics.
Mistakes you can punish
This position has a few clear practical mistakes. The move e6 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with Nf6 being better. The move g6 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns, again with Nf6 being better. The move d6 is another inaccuracy and loses about 1.0 pawns, with Nf6 being better.
That means you should stay alert whenever Black sidesteps the main Nf6 idea. If Black plays one of these weaker choices, your task is to keep developing and make the extra ease in the position count.
What the database says about the line
Across 961,086 games at this exact position, White wins 50.8%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 45.5%. That is a very healthy result for White in a practical opening position.
The key lesson is not that the game is over, but that White is already doing well and can play with confidence. This is a good place to learn how to handle a slight opening edge without overreaching.
Results across 961,086 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 659,097 | 50.0% |
| e6 | 165,766 | 51.0% |
| d5 | 39,512 | 49.1% |
| g6 | 35,252 | 53.3% |
| d6 | 18,884 | 55.0% |
| Nc6 | 12,547 | 61.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation?
It is the position after 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3. In this lesson, you play White from a position where Black is to move and White already has a small edge.
Who is better in this position?
Stockfish gives +0.55, which is a small edge for White. You are slightly better here, so the goal is to keep the pressure and develop naturally.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is d5. The continuation given is d5 Bf4 e6 e3, which shows White developing smoothly while keeping central control.
Which Black replies should I know most carefully?
The most-played reply is Nf6, with 659,097 games. The other common moves are e6, d5, g6, d6, and Nc6, and the listed mistakes are e6, g6, and d6.
How many games feature the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation?
Over 961K Lichess games have reached the Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation position. White wins 50.8%, Black wins 45.5%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.