Dutch Defense: Krause Variation position after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on e7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, knight on c6, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on f5.
Dutch Defense: Krause Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6. It is classified A84 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Dutch Defense answers 1.d4 with 1...f5, staking a claim to e4 and signalling kingside ambitions from the first move. It is the most aggressive sound reply to the queen's pawn, at the cost of slightly weakening the king's position.
Strategic character
Three distinct systems share the move order: the Stonewall, where Black builds a fixed pawn wall and attacks; the Leningrad, which combines f5 with a kingside fianchetto; and the Classical, a more restrained setup. Each produces genuinely different middlegames.
Who should play it
Attacking players who want to dictate the character of the game with Black rather than react to White's choice.
This line is a variation within the Dutch Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation?
The Dutch Defense: Krause Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6. It is classified A84 in the ECO system. The Dutch Defense answers 1.d4 with 1...f5, staking a claim to e4 and signalling kingside ambitions from the first move. It is the most aggressive sound reply to the queen's pawn, at the cost of slightly weakening the king's position.
What are the moves of the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation?
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Dutch Defense: Krause Variation good for beginners?
Attacking players who want to dictate the character of the game with Black rather than react to White's choice.