Chessy
Hungarian Opening: Dutch Defense as Black
After 1.g3 f5, you are already in a position where the centre is up for grabs and White gets the next move. Stockfish rates this +0.49, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so your job is to stay alert, meet the centre correctly, and avoid drifting into a passive setup. The drill below helps you practise the critical decision from this exact position.
Play the Hungarian Opening: Dutch Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is really about
This opening is all about how you answer White’s first serious central challenge. The move you have already chosen, f5, takes space and signals an active fight, but it also leaves you with a delicate position if White reacts well. The engine’s best move is d4, and that tells you the main story: White wants to build a strong centre straight away. As Black, you need to know that the opening can quickly become a test of whether you can keep your structure coordinated while White expands.
The most important engine line to know
The engine’s best move here is d4, continuing d4 e6 c4 Nf6. You do not need to memorise a long branch to get value from this page; the point is to recognise the central struggle that follows if White chooses the strongest move. When White plays actively in the centre, you should be ready to answer with calm development and sound piece placement rather than chasing pawns or creating unnecessary weaknesses. The drill is designed to train that reaction until it feels natural.
What the numbers say
Across 242,835 games at this exact position, White wins 49.9%, draws 4.3%, and Black wins 45.8%. Those numbers fit the engine’s judgement: White is a little better, but the position is still practical and playable if you know what you are doing. The most common continuations are Bg2 with 204,873 games, b3 with 7,426, e3 with 5,268, Nf3 with 4,669, d4 with 4,042, and d3 with 3,493. So you will face a wide range of setups, but the central theme remains the same: White is usually trying to develop smoothly and claim space.
The mistake to punish
The one known mistake listed here is b3, which is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was d4. That is useful because it shows you where White can drift if they do not take the centre seriously. When White plays b3, do not relax, but do recognise that they have stepped away from the most precise central plan. For Black, the lesson is simple: keep your own position organised and be ready to meet quiet moves with active, sensible development.
Results across 242,835 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg2 | 204,873 | 50.4% |
| b3 | 7,426 | 49.4% |
| e3 | 5,268 | 46.7% |
| Nf3 | 4,669 | 47.4% |
| d4 | 4,042 | 52.5% |
| d3 | 3,493 | 48.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hungarian Opening: Dutch Defense good for Black?
It is playable, but the starting position is not fully equal. Stockfish rates it +0.49, which means White has a small edge, so you should not expect an easy game. It can still be a useful practical choice if you like active positions and understand the central themes.
What is White’s best move against this setup?
The engine’s best move here is d4. The suggested continuation is d4 e6 c4 Nf6, which shows that White’s main idea is to seize the centre and develop smoothly. Your drill goal is to learn how to meet that pressure without slipping behind.
What move is White most likely to play?
The most-played continuation is Bg2, with 204,873 games. That makes it the move you are most likely to face in practice, even though the engine says d4 is best. You should be ready for both the popular fianchetto setup and the more direct central tries.
Which White move should I watch out for as Black?
The listed mistake is b3, which is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was d4. If White chooses b3, they are not following the most accurate central plan. Use that as a cue to keep playing energetically and develop your pieces well.
How many games feature the Hungarian Opening: Dutch Defense?
Over 242K Lichess games have reached the Hungarian Opening: Dutch Defense position. White wins 49.9%, Black wins 45.8%, with 4.3% draws — based on real rated games.