ECO A00 · Van Geet Opening

Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit

1. Nc3 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. Nxe5+1.29

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit (A00), reached after 1. Nc3 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.293. Nxe5 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bd2 d5 6. Nd3 a5 7. a3 Bxc3
  2. +0.843. e3 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. exd4 Bb6 6. a4 Ba5 7. Bd3 Nf6
  3. +0.393. e4 d6 4. Na4 Nf6 5. Nxc5 dxc5 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Nd3 c4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit?
After 1. Nc3 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White, continuing Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bd2 d5 6. Nd3 a5 7. a3 Bxc3. White is clearly better (+1.29). The next best moves are 3. e3 (+0.84) and 3. e4 (+0.39).
Is the Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.29: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit?
A00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).