Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation, Alekhine Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO A90), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation, Alekhine Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code A90. ECO group A (A00–A99) covers flank and irregular openings, including the English, Bird, Réti and Dutch defences. This particular variation is reached after 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7.

It belongs to the Dutch Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Nimzo-Dutch Variation → Alekhine Variation line). The immediate parent line is Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation, transitioned via 5…Be7.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 f5, 2.c4 Nf6, 3.g3 e6, 4.Bg2 Bb4+, 5.Bd2 Be7. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.