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ECO A00Flank opening

Van Geet Opening

Knight on the left: White starts from the wing

  • Offbeat

1.Nc3 brings the knight towards the centre and eyes e4 and d5 at once. White does not commit the pawn structure and waits for Black's reply: the game can slip into a Vienna, into the Napoleon Attack or into much less familiar territory. It is a rarity but quite playable, chosen to drag the opponent off the book and play with the pieces.

Interactive Opening Board

4.Ng3

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Black
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White
4.Ng3
Speed:

Moves

(7 plies • 4 moves)
4.Ng3Tabiya
  1. 1–4moves
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  5. 4.

Defining move

1.Nc3 — the knight before the pawns

The move that puts the knight on a central square and keeps the options open

The knight on c3 controls e4 and d5 and prepares e4 or d4 when it suits. The price is that it blocks the c-pawn, so the usual set-ups with c4 are out. Black can occupy the centre at once with 1…d5, and then White needs a plan.

Tabiya

The Van Geet Attack

After 1…d5 2.e4 d4 White moves the knight from c3 to e2 and then to g3, while Black's d4 pawn stays advanced. White gets easy play on the kingside: Nf3, Bc4 or Bb5, castling and d3. Black has space in the centre, but must keep the d4 pawn supported and not fall behind in development.

White’s plan

  • Bring the knight to g3, then Nf3, Bc4 or Bb5, and castle.
  • Prepare d3 and play on the kingside.
  • Hold the e4 pawn and keep Black from opening the game with …f5.

Black’s plan

  • Support the d4 pawn with …e5 and …c5.
  • Develop the knights and hit e4 with …Nf6.
  • Keep White from quietly gathering pieces on the kingside.

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