Chessy
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation — play Black confidently
After 1.b3 f5, White has already declared the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation, and your job as Black is to meet it with solid, active play. The position is a useful drill because the first decision matters: White is to move, but the engine already gives White a small edge. That does not mean the position is unplayable for you; it means you need to know the most practical reply, understand the usual ideas, and avoid drifting into passive squares. Use the drill below to practise the exact position and learn the most reliable responses.
Play the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise the position as Black. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the opening later.
Create a free account →What the position says right away
Stockfish rates this +0.49, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here.
The database picture is still very playable, though. Across 190,592 games at this exact position, White wins 49.5%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 46.8%. So your task is not to “survive a disaster”; it is to make sure White does not get a free, comfortable start. The opening usually leads to a tense game where simple development and good squares matter more than memorising a long script.
The move White chooses most often
The most-played continuation is Bb2, with 173,205 games, and White scores 49.8% there. That is the move you should expect first in the drill, because it is by far the main practical test.
The engine’s best move here is Nf3. In the line given by the engine, the game can continue with Nf3 e6 c4 d5. You do not need to force that exact structure every time, but it shows the kind of development and central control White is aiming for. As Black, your answer should keep the position flexible while staying ready to fight for the centre.
The replies that deserve attention
Several other White continuations appear often enough to know by feel. e3 has 4,553 games and White scores 48.0%. g3 has 3,258 games and White scores 48.6%. Ba3 has 2,123 games and White scores 46.9%. c4 has 1,202 games and White scores 47.3%. d4 has 1,055 games and White scores 46.0%.
These numbers tell you that White has more than one sensible way to continue, but none of them should frighten you. Your practical goal is the same in each case: develop quickly, stay coordinated, and do not allow White to build a smooth attacking setup without resistance.
Two clear mistakes to know
This position has two known inaccuracies worth remembering. g3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; Ba3 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns. In both cases, Bb2 was better.
That is useful for your drill because it gives you a clean warning sign. If White delays the most natural development or chooses a less precise bishop plan, you should be ready to meet it with calm development and a firm grip on the centre. The lesson is not to chase tactics blindly, but to recognise when White has stepped away from the most accurate path.
Results across 190,592 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bb2 | 173,205 | 49.8% |
| e3 | 4,553 | 48.0% |
| g3 | 3,258 | 48.6% |
| Ba3 | 2,123 | 46.9% |
| c4 | 1,202 | 47.3% |
| d4 | 1,055 | 46.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What should Black aim for in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation?
You should aim for quick development and good central control. The position after 1.b3 f5 is already slightly better for White, so Black needs to play actively rather than passively. The engine’s best move here is Nf3, and the suggested continuation is Nf3 e6 c4 d5.
Is this opening good for Black to play?
Yes, but it is not an easy equaliser. Stockfish gives +0.49, a small edge for White, and the database across 190,592 games also shows White scoring a little better overall. That means Black can certainly play for a game, but you need accurate moves and solid plans.
What is White’s most common move after 1.b3 f5?
The most-played continuation is Bb2, with 173,205 games. It is also the move the engine prefers over some of White’s less accurate choices. In practical play, you should expect to face it very often.
Which White moves are the known mistakes here?
g3 and Ba3 are the known inaccuracies in this position. g3 loses about 0.7 pawns, and Ba3 loses about 0.5 pawns; in both cases, Bb2 was better. If White chooses either one, you can often feel that the position is becoming less comfortable for them.
How many games feature the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation?
Over 190K Lichess games have reached the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation position. White wins 49.5%, Black wins 46.8%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.