Dutch Defense: Hopton Attack: what to play after Bg5?

In the Hopton Attack of the Dutch Defense (ECO A80), reached after White develops the bishop to contest Black's setup, the engine's primary recommendation is g6. This move prepares a solid kingside fianchetto to neutralize the diagonal pressure and challenges White's development scheme while maintaining an evaluation of +0.60. Across 1,105,246 recorded games at this position, Black must address White's g5 before committing to standard Dutch setups.

Strategic Themes of the Primary Continuation

By selecting g6, Black prevents immediate disruption on the kingside and readies the dark-squared bishop for duty on g7. The primary illustrative sequence continues g6 Nc3 Bg7 e3 d5 h4, where White reinforces the center and seeks kingside space, while Black establishes central control with the pawn on d5. This setup avoids conceding doubled pawns early and provides a flexible framework against White's aggressive piece placement.

Alternatives Challenging the Bishop

Black can also confront g5 immediately or proceed with alternative pawn structures. The second-ranked engine move, h6 (+0.66), asks the bishop an immediate question, leading into lines such as h6 Bh4 g5 Bg3 Bg7 e3 where Black gains kingside territory at the cost of slight structural looseness. Another solid path is d6 (+0.67), preparing a subsequent g7 fianchetto while keeping the pawn structure restrained, seen in d6 e3 g6 Nc3 Bg7 Qd2.

Positional Concessions with Nf6 and c6

Directly developing the knight via Nf6 (+0.70) permits White to alter Black's pawn formation immediately via Nf6 Bxf6 exf6 c4 d5 e3, yielding doubled f-pawns in exchange for the bishop pair. A more reserved option is c6 (+0.86), leading to c6 Nd2 d5 e3 Nf6 Bd3, which secures the d5 outpost but grants White comfortable central development.