Chessy
Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4 — Playing as Black
After 1.Nc3 e5 2.e4 Nf6, you have reached the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4. White started with a knight rather than the usual king pawn, but you've responded solidly, putting pressure on the e4 pawn. Stockfish rates this +0.14 — a tiny edge for White so tiny it barely matters. That means you are essentially equal and have every reason to play confidently. Below you'll find the key continuations, the numbers behind them, and the one inaccuracy to watch for, all ready for you to test in the interactive drill.
Play the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4 against the engine
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Play through the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4 in our interactive drill. See how each reply feels when the engine answers back, and learn where you
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This position is dead even, and that's good news for Black. The engine's +0.14 is the smallest possible edge — statistically meaningless below master level. From the 16,250,617 games in the database, White wins 51.5%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 44.6%. Those percentages are a touch better for White than the evaluation suggests, but the sample is large enough to trust: this is a balanced fight where your understanding matters more than the opening move order. Your task is straightforward: keep developing naturally, don't chase phantom advantages, and look for the moment to strike back in the centre. The Van Geet is an offbeat system, but with 1...e5 and 2...Nf6 you've steered it into familiar Nimzowitsch waters.
The Critical Response: White's Best Move
Against your 2...Nf6, White's most accurate reply is Nf3, played in nearly 6 million games (the most popular continuation by a wide margin). White scores a modest 49.0% from here — actually below the overall White win rate in this opening. The engine's suggested follow-up is 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 exd4, which opens the centre. After the exchange on d4 you will have a comfortable game with active piece play. There's nothing scary here: develop your kingside, castle soon, and you'll have equal chances. If White tries anything else, you may even get a small edge.
The Numbers Behind the Replies
Let's break down White's options so you know what to expect. The most-played moves after your set-up are: - 3.Nf3 (5,948,871 games, White scores 49.0%) — the principled developing move. Good for you. - 3.f4 (4,714,588 games, White scores 57.7%) — the sharpest line. White wins a lot here, so be alert. This is the Vienna Gambit approach, and you'll need to know your response. - 3.Bc4 (2,744,080 games, White scores 50.9%) — perfectly playable for both sides. - 3.d3 (1,152,007 games, White scores 46.9%) — this is where you can get a slight edge. The stats and the engine agree: d3 is a mistake that hands you the initiative.
One Inaccuracy to Punish
The database flags 3.d3 as a known inaccuracy, losing about 0.6 pawns of advantage compared to 3.Nf3. White scores just 46.9% with this quiet move — the worst of all major options. If your opponent plays 3.d3, they are ceding the centre prematurely. Your best plan is simple: develop quickly with ...Nc6, maybe ...Bb4 to pin the knight on c3, and prepare to seize space with ...d5. The engine wants White to play Nf3 for a reason — anything less and you should feel comfortable pressing for an advantage. Watch for this in the drill and make your opponent pay.
Results across 16,250,617 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 5,948,871 | 49.0% |
| f4 | 4,714,588 | 57.7% |
| Bc4 | 2,744,080 | 50.9% |
| d3 | 1,152,007 | 46.9% |
| d4 | 478,273 | 48.1% |
| g3 | 239,925 | 53.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van Geet Opening good for Black?
Yes, it's very playable for Black. Stockfish evaluates the position after 1.Nc3 e5 2.e4 Nf6 as +0.14 — barely an edge for White. In practice, White scores 51.5% in the database, so Black wins 44.6% of the time with draws making up the rest. You are not worse; you're equal.
What is the best move for Black against 3.f4?
The stats show 3.f4 is White's most dangerous continuation, scoring 57.7% in over 4.7 million games. The Van Geet can transpose to the Vienna Gambit. Your safest approach is to stay solid: develop naturally, maintain the centre, and avoid being drawn into tactics before you're fully developed.
Why is 3.d3 a mistake for White?
The engine rates 3.d3 as an inaccuracy that costs White about 0.6 pawns of advantage. White scores only 46.9% after this move — the lowest of any major reply. By playing d3 White gives up the fight for the centre too early, allowing Black to seize space with ...d5 and develop with tempo.
Should I be worried about White's 1.Nc3?
Not at all. The Van Geet Opening is a respectable but offbeat system. By responding with 1...e5 and 2...Nf6 you transpose into a reversed Nimzowitsch structure that is sound and well-known. The position is dead level, and Black's winning chances are excellent in practice.
How many games feature the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4?
Over 16 million Lichess games have reached the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch: e4 position. White wins 51.5%, Black wins 44.6%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.