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Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch with d4 – Playing as Black
After 1.Nc3 e5 2.d4, the position asks White a question: do they know this opening? The move 2...exd4 accepts a small central gambit, and the statistics tell a surprising story. Across over 830,000 games, Black actually wins more often than White — 48.5% to White's 47.4%. Stockfish gives the position just +0.31, a tiny edge for White, but you have excellent practical chances here. The key is knowing how to handle White's less-accurate tries, and the drill below will help you build that skill.
Play the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: d4 against the engine
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Create a free account →The Reversed Nimzowitsch Idea
This line of the Van Geet Opening starts with 1.Nc3 — an unusual first move that can lead to many different structures. When you respond 1...e5, White often plays 2.d4, aiming to seize the centre. By capturing 2...exd4, you accept a pawn-down position in exchange for fast development and piece activity. Think of it as a reversed version of the Nimzowitsch Defence, where Black gets the kind of open, dynamic game that Nimzowitsch himself loved. Your early lead in development can give you excellent counterplay, especially if White does not follow up precisely.
The Main Line: White Plays Qxd4
The overwhelming majority of games — 797,347 out of 831,448 — see White recapture with 3.Qxd4. That move is also the engine's top choice. White scores 48.0% with it, a solid but unimpressive result. After 3.Qxd4, the best continuation is 3...Nc6, developing with tempo and attacking the queen. Then 4.Qe3+ Be7 leads to a position where White's queen has moved three times in the opening, giving you a lead in development and natural squares for your pieces. You have equalised comfortably here, and the engine's +0.31 evaluation starts to shrink.
Punishing White's Mistakes
The real reward for knowing this opening comes when White plays something other than Qxd4. Several alternatives are well-known mistakes, and the FACTS data identifies three of them clearly. The most common mistake is 3.Nb5 (12,928 games), which loses about 2.0 pawns worth of advantage — a serious error. Next is 3.Ne4 (8,509 games), losing roughly 1.9 pawns. And 3.Nd5 (4,718 games) loses about 1.4 pawns. Notice how White's win percentage plummets on these moves: Ne4 scores just 33.6% for White, Nd5 only 32.5%, and Nf3 — though not classified as a mistake — drops to a miserable 21.6%. When you face these moves, you are already clearly better.
What the Statistics Reveal
The numbers tell a clear story. In this exact position, Black wins 48.5% of the time and White wins 47.4%, with 4.1% draws. That is a practical edge for you before a single move is made. The key insight: White needs to find 3.Qxd4 to stay even slightly better, and even then your score is excellent. Against White's inaccuracies, your winning chances spike. The 3.Qd3 move, for instance, gives White only a 24.4% score — meaning you are a huge favourite from that point. Learning the simple reply 3...Nc6 against Qxd4, and knowing how to take over the game against Nb5, Ne4, or Nd5, will make this line a reliable weapon in your repertoire.
Results across 831,448 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qxd4 | 797,347 | 48.0% |
| Nb5 | 12,928 | 44.7% |
| Ne4 | 8,509 | 33.6% |
| Nd5 | 4,718 | 32.5% |
| Qd3 | 1,702 | 24.4% |
| Nf3 | 1,498 | 21.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van Geet Opening the same as 1.Nc3?
Yes, 1.Nc3 is the defining first move of the Van Geet Opening, also known as the Dunst Opening. The Reversed Nimzowitsch with d4 is one of its main lines after 1.Nc3 e5 2.d4 exd4.
Why is Black winning more often than White in this line?
Although the position gives White a tiny engine advantage of +0.31, Black scores 48.5% in practice compared to White's 47.4%. This is because White often makes inaccurate moves like 3.Nb5 or 3.Ne4, which hand Black a clear advantage immediately.
How should I respond if White plays 3.Qxd4?
Develop quickly with 3...Nc6, attacking the queen. After 4.Qe3+, play 4...Be7. This gives you a harmonious position with a lead in development. White's queen has moved three times in the opening, which is a small victory for you.
What is the best way to punish 3.Nb5 or 3.Ne4?
Both are mistakes that lose significant advantage — around 2.0 and 1.9 pawns respectively. The engine-recommended move in the position is 3.Qxd4, so any deviation is bad. Black should simply continue developing naturally, and the computer's best continuation will guide you in the interactive drill.