Chessy
Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch with e3 — How to Play as Black
After 1.Nc3 e5 2.e3 d5, you've entered the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch with e3 — a solid but slightly passive setup from White. In this position, White to move already faces a tiny deficit. Stockfish rates it -0.24, a narrow edge for Black. That means you are already microscopically better, and the data backs it up: across over half a million games at this exact position, Black wins 50.7% of the time, White only 45.7%, with 3.6% draws. The puzzle below will test your ability to handle White's most dangerous reply and convert your opening advantage.
Play the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e3 against the engine
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Ready to test yourself? Play through the exact position in the interactive drill below and practise punishing White's inaccuracies. Create a free Chessy account
Create a free account →The Big Picture: Why Black Is Fine
This is one of those rare opening positions where the stats favour Black despite no obvious mistake. White's 2.e3 blocks in the light-squared bishop and concedes the centre — your 1…e5 and 2…d5 give you a perfect classical duo. From the engine's perspective the position is dead level (-0.24), but in practice Black scores a healthy 50.7% compared to White's 45.7%. The draw rate is tiny (3.6%), which tells you this is a fighting position where small inaccuracies get punished. Your job in the drill is to keep the pressure on and not let White equalise with easy developing moves.
The Engine's Choice: Qh5 and How to Meet It
The computer's top recommendation for White is Qh5, planning to follow up with Qxe5 after Be7. This is also the second most-played move in practice (94,180 games), and when White plays it they score 55.4% — significantly higher than any other option. That jump in White's winning percentage is the main reason you need to be ready for it. After 3.Qh5, your natural reply is Be7, developing and defending, and if 4.Qxe5 you have Nf6, kicking the queen and gaining time. The drill will walk you through this precise sequence so you don't let White's queen raid your kingside for free.
The Most Popular White Move — and Why It's a Mistake
White's most common move at this position is 3.d4 (125,196 games), which scores a mediocre 45.1% for White. That already looks fine for you. But the real gift is 3.Bb5+, played 27,321 times. According to Stockfish this is an inaccuracy that loses roughly 0.7 pawns — a meaningful swing in your favour. After 3.Bb5+ you simply block with c6, and if White captures on c6 you recapture with the b-pawn, opening the b-file and giving you a comfortable edge. The engine says White should have preferred 3.Qh5 instead. If you face Bb5+ in the drill, you'll know exactly how to punish it.
Which Lines You Want (and Which to Watch Out For)
Looking at the statistics, White's best scoring option is Qh5 (55.4% for White), so that's the line requiring the most preparation. The other popular moves are significantly less threatening for you: 3.Nf3 scores only 44.4% for White, 3.b3 scores 45.7%, and 3.d3 scores just 42.7%. All of these allow you to continue developing naturally with Nc6, Bd6, Nge7, and O-O. The key takeaway: as long as you handle Qh5 correctly, you have excellent chances against any setup White chooses. The drill will give you reps against all of these until the right responses feel automatic.
Results across 513,362 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 125,196 | 45.1% |
| Qh5 | 94,180 | 55.4% |
| Nf3 | 83,537 | 44.4% |
| b3 | 38,565 | 45.7% |
| Bb5+ | 27,321 | 40.2% |
| d3 | 26,804 | 42.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch e3 good for Black?
Yes. Stockfish gives Black a microscopic edge (-0.24), and in practice Black scores 50.7% across over half a million games — a better outcome than White's 45.7%. The draw rate is very low at 3.6%, so you have good winning chances.
How should Black respond to 3.Qh5 in the Van Geet e3?
Play 3…Be7, developing and defending the e5-pawn. If White continues 4.Qxe5, you reply 4…Nf6, gaining a tempo by attacking the queen. This is the engine's recommended line and the critical test of your opening knowledge.
What is White's biggest mistake in this opening?
The move 3.Bb5+ is a clear inaccuracy, costing White about 0.7 pawns according to Stockfish. You block with 3…c6 and if White takes, you recapture with the b-pawn, opening lines for your rook and giving you comfortable play.
What does White usually play after 1.Nc3 e5 2.e3 d5?
The most common move is 3.d4 (125,196 games), but White scores only 45.1% with it — good for you. The most dangerous move is 3.Qh5 (55.4% White score), followed by 3.Nf3 (44.4% White) and 3.b3 (45.7% White).