ECO A00 · Van Geet Opening

Van Geet Opening: Gladbacher Gambit

1. Nc3 e5 2. b3 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d3

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

4… Bb4−0.92

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Van Geet Opening: Gladbacher Gambit (A00), reached after 1. Nc3 e5 2. b3 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bb4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.92).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.924… Bb4 5. Bd2 exd3 6. Bxd3 Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. Re1
  2. −0.684… exd3 5. Bxd3 Bb4 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. Qe2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Qe7 9. Bb5
  3. −0.524… Nf6 5. dxe4 Qxd1+ 6. Kxd1 Nc6 7. Bd3 Be6 8. Nf3 h6 9. Ke2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Van Geet Opening: Gladbacher Gambit?
After 1. Nc3 e5 2. b3 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bb4 for Black, continuing 5. Bd2 exd3 6. Bxd3 Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. Re1. Black is clearly better (−0.92). The next best moves are 4… exd3 (−0.68) and 4… Nf6 (−0.52).
Is the Van Geet Opening: Gladbacher Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.92: black 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: Gladbacher 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+).