Chessy
Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack — play it as White
The Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack starts with a quick, flexible setup: 1.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4. After that, Black to move has an important choice, and your drill is about meeting it with good habits rather than memorising long lines. Stockfish rates the position +0.21, so White is only slightly better on paper, but the practical result is very close to equal. Use the interactive drill to learn the key reply, punish the common mistakes, and feel comfortable in the early middlegame.
Play the Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack against the engine
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Play the drill now and test yourself against the key replies. You can create a free account to track your progress and build confidence in this opening.
Create a free account →What the position is really about
This opening is not about launching an immediate attack. It is about healthy development, central tension, and being ready to react when Black opens the centre. The position after 1.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 is already sharp in a quiet way: both sides have pieces out, and the next decision will shape the whole game. The engine’s best move is exd4, which tells you that the central capture is the move you need to understand first.
The move you should know best
If Black plays exd4, the engine continuation is exd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nxc6. You do not need to memorise every detail from this page, but you should recognise the idea: Black is willing to trade in the centre and target your active pieces, so your task is to stay coordinated. In the drill, focus on whether your pieces remain active and whether you can keep the position simple enough to play comfortably.
What the numbers say
Across 383,640 games at this exact position, White wins 52.5%, draws 4.5%, and Black wins 43.0%. That is a useful practical result, but it does not mean White is clearly better. Stockfish rates the position +0.21, a tiny edge for White. That means you are basically in a level position and should aim for good development, not for forcing a quick advantage.
Common replies and the mistakes to punish
Several replies show up often, and the mistake list gives you a clear training target.
- exd4 is the most-played continuation, with 241,716 games and White scoring 51.4%.
- e4 appears in 44,908 games and White scores 53.1% there, but it is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns; better was exd4.
- d6 appears in 33,561 games and White scores 55.0%.
- Bb4 appears in 16,525 games and White scores 51.8%; it is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was exd4.
- f6 appears in 12,437 games and White scores 55.9%; it is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; better was exd4.
- Bd6 appears in 8,563 games and White scores 53.5%.
In practice, this means you should be alert for central captures and punish sidesteps that do not solve the tension well.
How to handle this opening as White
Your practical job is simple: develop naturally, keep the centre under control, and be ready for Black’s central capture. Since the position is close to equal, you do not need to overreach. This opening suits players who like flexible development and want a position where understanding matters more than memorising theory. The drill below is ideal for building that feeling move by move.
Results across 383,640 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd4 | 241,716 | 51.4% |
| e4 | 44,908 | 53.1% |
| d6 | 33,561 | 55.0% |
| Bb4 | 16,525 | 51.8% |
| f6 | 12,437 | 55.9% |
| Bd6 | 8,563 | 53.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack good for White?
It is perfectly playable, but it is not a crushing opening. Stockfish gives the position +0.21, which is only a tiny edge for White. The practical results are also close to balanced, so the opening is more about getting a comfortable game than forcing an immediate advantage.
What is the best reply for Black here?
The engine’s best move is **exd4**. It keeps the central tension under control and leads into the continuation **exd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nxc6**. That is the main reply you should be ready for in the drill.
Which replies are most common in this position?
The most-played continuation is **exd4**, with **241,716 games**. Other common moves include **e4**, **d6**, **Bb4**, **f6**, and **Bd6**. Those are good moves to recognise because they appear often in practical play.
What mistakes should I look out for?
The listed mistakes are **e4**, **Bb4**, and **f6**. Each is worse than the engine’s best move **exd4**, and the evaluation notes say they lose roughly **1.1 pawns**, **0.6 pawns**, and **0.7 pawns** respectively. In the drill, learn to spot why these moves fail to solve the central position properly.
How many games feature the Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack?
Over 383K Lichess games have reached the Van Geet Opening: Napoleon Attack position. White wins 52.5%, Black wins 43.0%, with 4.5% draws — based on real rated games.