Openings Rare first moves
Van Geet Opening (1.Nc3): 1...d5, 1...e5 and Stats by Rating
1.Nc3 develops a knight and invites 1...d5 2.e4 or 1...e5 2.e4, which lead to a Vienna Game, a Scandinavian-like game or something new. It is flexible but blocks the c-pawn, so most games turn into 1.e4 openings.
A00Van Geet Opening
Games from this position (1600–1999): 22k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27% | 5,837 | ||
| 21% | 4,651 | ||
| 16% | 3,530 | ||
| 8% | 1,839 | ||
| 7% | 1,465 | ||
| 5% | 1,137 | ||
| 5% | 1,036 | ||
| 3% | 723 | ||
| 2% | 503 | ||
| 2% | 477 | ||
| 1% | 313 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Against 1...d5, 2.e4 is the main move; after 2...d4 drop back with 3.Nce2 and follow with Ng3, Nf3 and Bc4.
- Against 1...e5, 2.e4 is a Vienna Game and 2.Nf3 keeps the game independent.
- Against 1...Nf6 or 1...c5, 2.e4 leads to an Alekhine, a Vienna or a Closed Sicilian.
Black
- 1...d5 with 2...d4 gains space and pushes the knight away.
- 1...e5 and 1...c5 lead to well-known 1.e4 positions you may already play.
- 1...Nf6 with ...d5 is a solid way to avoid White’s preparation.
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Van Geet Opening (1.Nc3) at each rating
How often the position after 1.Nc3 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 20k0.7% | 1...e545% | |
| 1200–1599 | 22k0.4% | 1...e534% | |
| 1600–1999 | 22k0.3% | 1...d527% | |
| 2000+ | 12k0.6% | 1...d533% | |
| All | 77k0.4% | 1...e529% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
Black gains space; White drops back to e2 and plays Ng3, Nf3 and Bc4. White scores about 59% after 4.Ng3 here.
2,953 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 57%, 4% were drawn, Black won 38%.
Show on the board: 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 d4 3.Nce2 e5 4.Ng3Black takes on e4 and White takes back, a Scandinavian-like game; Black develops with ...Nf6 or ...Bf5.
16k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 46%, 5% were drawn, Black won 49%.
Show on the board: 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nxe4White gives the d-pawn for quick development, like a Blackmar-Diemer. About nine in ten take with 3...exd3.
3,504 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 51%, 4% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.d3White avoids the Vienna and opens the center with d4; most players take with 3...exd4.
1,770 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 53%, 5% were drawn, Black won 42%.
Show on the board: 1.Nc3 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4This is the Vienna Game, which has its own guide.
322k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 51%, 4% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.Nc3 e5 2.e4
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At club level
After 1...d5 2.e4 d4, nine in ten players at 2000+ drop back with 3.Nce2 and White scores about 56%. Below 1200 most knights jump forward to d5 or b5 instead, and White scores only about 44%. White scores about 51% after 1.Nc3 overall.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.