ECO C31 · Van Geet Opening

Van Geet Opening: Grünfeld Defense, Steiner Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4

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

4… Nf6−0.58

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Van Geet Opening: Grünfeld Defense, Steiner Gambit (C31), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.584… Nf6 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nxe4 7. Qxe4 f5 8. Qc4 e4 9. Ne5
  2. −0.364… exf4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nc6 7. Bxf4 Be6 8. O-O-O O-O-O 9. a3
  3. −0.344… Nc6 5. Bb5 f5 6. Nc3 e4 7. d3 Bb4 8. Be3 Bd7 9. dxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Van Geet Opening: Grünfeld Defense, Steiner Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nxe4 7. Qxe4 f5 8. Qc4 e4 9. Ne5. Black is slightly better (−0.58). The next best moves are 4… exf4 (−0.36) and 4… Nc6 (−0.34).
Is the Van Geet Opening: Grünfeld Defense, Steiner Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.58: black is slightly 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: Grünfeld Defense, Steiner Gambit?
C31. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

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