Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...f5/2. Nc3

The Raphael Variation, characterized by 2. Nc3, aims to control e4, the square Dutch players want to control. Although this is a sideline, it is principled as it develops a piece and controls a key central square.

2...Nf6 is the best and most popular move, reinforcing e4 with the knight. It generally leads to 3. Bg5, usually followed by e3 as in the Hopton Attack. However, Black still has to be careful of White's aggressive setup as traps can arise (see Traps section below).

2...e6 and 2...g6 give up trying to defend e4 and instead choose to go for a standard Dutch Stonewall or Leningrad setup, sometimes delaying Nf6.

2...d5 greedily reinforces e4 with a pawn. It is the third most common move but creates a permanent hole on e5 that can be exploited with the simple 3. Bf4. However, Black especially has to be careful of the Kingfisher Gambit with 3. e4!?, setting up deadly traps (see Traps section below).

The Raphael is home to many traps. One such "trap" comes after 2...Nf6 3. Bg5, where 3...h6? is played kicking the bishop away, but after 4. Bxf6! exf6 5. e4± White has a great center attacking the f5 pawn and Black has a demolished and awful pawn structure. An even more poisonous trap comes out of the greedy 2...d5. White can then play 3. e4!?, the dubious Kingfisher Gambit. 3...dxe4 transposes to the Netherlands Variation of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (BDG) and Black has to avoid a minefield of traps after 4. Bg5 (e.g. 4...h6?? 5. Qh5+! Kd7 6. Bc4+- with a crushing attack on Black's king) and 4...fxe4?, the more common capture, leads to 5. Qh5+! g6 6. Qxd5! where White wins back the pawn with a way better position. Then Black should play 6...Nf6 kicking the White queen away leading to a better position for white after 7. Qb3±, but more popular is 6...Qxd5? leading to 7. Nxd5+- with Nxc7+ forking king and rook is threatened, forcing 7...Kd8 or 7...Kd7 (7...Na6? 8. Bxa6! wins the knight as the defender of c7 is removed, and 8...bxa6 would allow 9. Nxc7+).