Chessy
Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch — Black's Lesson
After 1.Nc3 e5, White decides the first real direction. Your job as Black is simple: meet the position with sound development, stay alert to White’s central breaks, and punish careless third moves. The drill below lets you practise the exact position where White is to move, so you can learn what the engine prefers and which replies drift into trouble. This is a practical opening lesson, not a memorisation test: focus on the ideas that keep you comfortable in the middlegame.
Play the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch against the engine
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Create a free account →What the engine wants here
Stockfish rates this +0.46, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here.
The engine’s best move is Nf3, and the listed continuation is Nf3 Nc6 d4 exd4. For Black, that is a clear signal to respond with active development and readiness for central tension. In this opening, you should expect White to steer for quick piece play rather than an early tactical gamble.
What the database says about this exact position
This position has been reached in 3,488,275 games, so the drill is built around something very well tested. White wins 48.2%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 47.7%.
That score tells you the position is close, but White does a little better overall. For a Black player, the lesson is not to panic — it is to avoid drifting into the common sidelines that hand White an easy plus.
The replies you will see most often
The most-played continuations are e4, Nf3, d4, d3, e3, and b3. The first three are by far the main practical choices, while the quieter pawn moves appear far less often.
The engine’s recommendation and the database both point you toward the same mindset: meet White’s central ambitions with energy, and do not let slow play make your position passive.
Moves that let White take over
Three common replies are marked as mistakes or inaccuracies:
- d3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns; better was Nf3.
- e3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was Nf3.
- b3 is a mistake and loses about 1.2 pawns; better was Nf3.
The pattern is clear. When White delays the active central fight and instead plays quietly, the position can slip. Your task is to recognise those slower setups and keep your own play straightforward and active.
Results across 3,488,275 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e4 | 1,265,709 | 48.3% |
| Nf3 | 993,870 | 49.2% |
| d4 | 573,551 | 50.2% |
| d3 | 165,343 | 45.4% |
| e3 | 132,478 | 46.6% |
| b3 | 127,965 | 46.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea for Black in the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch?
You are facing a position where White has the move after 1.Nc3 e5, and the engine prefers Nf3. As Black, the practical idea is to stay alert to central play and answer White’s development without falling behind.
Is this opening good for Black?
The engine gives +0.46, a small edge for White. You are slightly worse, but the database results are still close, so accurate play keeps the position playable.
Which move does the engine prefer in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nf3, and the listed line continues Nf3 Nc6 d4 exd4. That makes active central play the main theme to watch for in the drill.
What mistakes should I punish most often?
The listed mistakes are d3, e3, and b3. d3 and e3 are inaccuracies, while b3 is a mistake, and all three are weaker than Nf3.
How many games feature the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch position. White wins 48.2%, Black wins 47.7%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.