Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Netherlands Variation: what should Black play?

In the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Netherlands Variation, Black's most reliable and highest-scoring engine choice is Nf6, which carries an evaluation of -0.32 across more than 111,000 recorded games. This natural developing move controls critical central squares like d5 and e4, blunting White's aggressive piece deployment while maintaining the extra pawn. Other viable candidates include e6 and a6, but developing the kingside knight remains the principal path to consolidate the position.

Development and Central Control with Nf6

Selecting Nf6 allows Black to dispute key central territory without making premature pawn concessions. White's active dark-squared bishop on f4 exerts long-range pressure, making rapid piece coordination Black's top priority. According to engine analysis, a primary continuation runs Nf6 f3 e6 fxe4 fxe4 Qd2, wherein Black smoothly transitions into a solid French or Dutch-style pawn structure while remaining slightly ahead in overall evaluation.

Alternative Setups: e6 and a6

Black can also opt for immediate pawn support via e6, evaluated at -0.28. This move blunts the diagonal of White's bishop and prepares kingside development, often leading into lines such as e6 Qd2 Nf6 O-O-O Nc6 f3. A more cautious flank approach is a6 (-0.16), designed to rule out piece incursions to b5 before expanding on the queenside, as illustrated by a6 f3 Nf6 Qd2 b5 fxe4.

Less Resilient Alternatives

Moves that bypass immediate king safety or allow central incursions offer White easier counterplay. For instance, Nc6 yields an evaluation of +0.07, permitting the immediate jump Nc6 Nb5 e5 dxe5 Bb4+ c3. Similarly, c6 rates at +0.45, leaving Black slightly worse after c6 f3 Nf6 Nh3 Nd5 Nxd5, demonstrating why direct piece development via Nf6 remains Black's soundest plan.