Chessy
Van't Kruijs Opening: how to play 1.e3
The Van't Kruijs Opening starts quietly, but that does not mean the game is going nowhere. After 1.e3, Black chooses the next plan, and your task is to meet it with solid development and sensible central play. This opening is a useful training tool because the position is still completely balanced: there is no need to guess a forced trap, but there is plenty to get wrong if you drift. Use the drill below to get comfortable in the first practical decisions.
Play the Van't Kruijs Opening against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill and get a feel for the first practical decisions. Create a free account to track your progress and return to the position anytime.
Create a free account →A quiet start with an even game
Stockfish rates this +0.00, exactly level. That means you are not better, but you are not worse either. The opening gives you a flexible start, and the real challenge is to stay simple while Black chooses the first active plan. For a club player, that is often a good place to learn: develop naturally, keep your position sound, and avoid creating unnecessary weaknesses too early.
What the database says Black will do
The most common reply is e5, with 22,557,217 games and White scoring 46.9%. After that come d5, c5, e6, g6, and Nf6, each appearing often enough that you should expect them in practice. The main lesson is not a trick line, but readiness: Black has several reasonable ways to answer, so you should be comfortable facing different central structures and piece setups.
The engine’s main idea
The engine’s best move here is d5, continuing d5 d4 Nf6 c4. That tells you something important about the opening: Black can claim the centre immediately, so you should not waste time with slow moves that do nothing. Your job is to respond in a way that supports development and keeps your position harmonious, rather than letting Black take over the space battle for free.
What the results tell you
Across 47,571,298 games at this exact position, White wins 46.4%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 49.6%. That is a reminder that this opening is not a shortcut to an advantage for White. You are entering a position where both sides can play for the middlegame, and the practical question is who handles the first central decisions more accurately.
Results across 47,571,298 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 22,557,217 | 46.9% |
| d5 | 9,023,904 | 45.8% |
| c5 | 3,903,596 | 44.8% |
| e6 | 3,734,103 | 47.1% |
| g6 | 1,606,721 | 44.2% |
| Nf6 | 1,589,398 | 44.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van't Kruijs Opening good for White?
It is a playable opening, but the position is dead level after 1.e3. You are not aiming to refute Black; you are aiming to reach a sound middlegame without making early concessions.
What is the best move for Black against 1.e3?
The engine’s best move is d5, continuing d5 d4 Nf6 c4. That shows Black can challenge the centre immediately and keep the position balanced.
What replies to 1.e3 are most common?
The most-played continuation is e5, and other common replies are d5, c5, e6, g6, and Nf6. You should be ready for a range of central and kingside setups.
What should I focus on when learning this opening?
Focus on calm development and central control. Since the position is level, the main skill is making sensible choices after Black’s first move rather than memorising a long forcing line.
How many games feature the Van't Kruijs Opening?
Over 48 million Lichess games have reached the Van't Kruijs Opening position. White wins 46.4%, Black wins 49.6%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.