Flank openings

Van Geet Opening

1.Nc3

The Van Geet Opening starts with 1.Nc3 and is catalogued under ECO A00, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 33 lines inside it, grouped into 33 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  2. 1c5

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  3. 2.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2cxd4

    Captures the pawn on d4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

  5. 3.Qxd4

    Captures the pawn on d4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  6. 3Nc6

    Develops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  7. 4.Qh4

    Repositions the queen to h4, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Van Geet Opening. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

9 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Van Geet Opening.