Chessy
Van Geet Opening: g6 – Build a Strong Centre with 1.Nc3
The Dutch grandmaster who gave the Van Geet its name knew that 1.Nc3 was no joke. When Black meets your knight move with 1...g6, you strike in the centre with 2.e4 — and now you have a classical pawn duo before Black has committed a single pawn to the middle. The engine gives +0.47, a small edge for White, so you are slightly better. Below the drill, you'll face a position with thousands of games to learn from. Let's look at what Black usually tries and how you can keep your advantage.
Play the Van Geet Opening: g6 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to put that +0.47 to work? Jump into the interactive drill below and practise the Van Geet Opening: g6 against an adapting opponent. Create a free Chessy-
Create a free account →The Big Picture: Why Your Small Edge Matters
In the Van Geet Opening: g6, the numbers show a healthy fighting chance. Across nearly 2.9 million games from this position, White wins 49.0% of the time, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 46.8%. That slim lead aligns with the engine's evaluation: +0.47, a modest but real plus for White. That means you are slightly better right now. Your task is to keep the initiative alive — don't rush, don't weaken your centre, and don't let Black's fianchettoed bishop dominate the long diagonal. Develop naturally and you'll carry that edge into the middlegame.
The Critical Reply: Black Plays 2...Bg7
By far Black's most popular choice (2,590,337 games) is 2...Bg7, completing the kingside fianchetto. Against this, White scores 48.8% — a perfectly respectable number. Your plan is straightforward: develop your kingside with Nf3 (often heading for a d4 advance), castle early, and contest the centre. Black will try to pressure your e4-pawn with moves like ...d6 and ...Nc6, but your central pawns give you space. Don't let the high volume of ...Bg7 games intimidate you; the engine's top suggestion is actually c5 for Black, not ...Bg7, meaning your position remains promising after the natural fianchetto.
Spot the Inaccuracies – Punish Imperfect Moves
Three popular Black replies are flagged as inaccuracies, each costing roughly 0.6–0.7 pawns of equity. If your opponent plays any of these, you gain a clearer advantage: - 2...e6 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.6 pawns; better was c5). Black blocks the bishop and delays development. - 2...b6 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.6 pawns; better was c5). This queenside fianchetto comes too soon and leaves the centre undefended. - 2...Nf6 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.7 pawns; better was c5). Hitting your e4-pawn before Black is ready can backfire. The engine's best move for Black in this position is actually 2...c5, which fights for the d4 square. If Black chooses anything else, you have a chance to press harder.
What the Engine Recommends and Why
Stockfish's top move is 2...c5, striking back at your centre immediately. The engine then suggests a natural continuation: 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4. This is a healthy line for White — you claim even more space and open lines for your pieces. If Black avoids ...c5 and plays something else, you should still aim for d4 yourself as soon as it's safe. Your main job is simple: finish development, castle, and keep that +0.47 tension alive. The Van Geet Opening isn't about tricks; it's about solid, principled chess that leaves your opponent answering questions from move one.
Results across 2,893,310 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 2,590,337 | 48.8% |
| d6 | 104,087 | 49.3% |
| e6 | 36,042 | 50.7% |
| b6 | 31,082 | 50.8% |
| Nf6 | 26,441 | 53.5% |
| e5 | 23,781 | 54.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van Geet Opening: g6 a good opening for beginners?
Yes. The position after 1.Nc3 g6 2.e4 is straightforward — you build a classical centre and develop naturally. There are few sharp traps to memorise, and the statistics (49.0% White wins) show it's perfectly playable at all levels.
Why is 2...c5 the engine's best move for Black?
Black's best reply is 2...c5 because it immediately challenges your centre and fights for the d4 square. If Black plays something like 2...e6 or 2...b6 instead, the engine considers them inaccuracies that cost about 0.6–0.7 pawns.
What should I do after Black plays 2...Bg7?
After 2...Bg7, develop naturally with Nf3, castle kingside, and aim to push d4 when possible. You have a slight edge (+0.47), and White scores 48.8% in 2,590,337 games from here — plenty of winning chances.
How do I handle 2...Nf6 attacking my e4-pawn?
2...Nf6 is actually an inaccuracy that loses ~0.7 pawns. Defend your e4-pawn with a developing move (like 3.d3 or 3.Nf3) and continue normally. Black has spent a tempo attacking a pawn that's easy to cover, leaving you with a comfortable edge.