ECO A00 · Van Geet Opening

Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit

1. Nc3 b5

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

2. Nxb5+1.18

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit (A00), reached after 1. Nc3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. Nxb5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.18).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.182. Nxb5 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. g3 e6 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O c5
  2. +0.522. a3 a6 3. d4 d5 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb7 6. Bd3 e6
  3. +0.272. d4 b4 3. Na4 Bb7 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nf3 d6 6. g3 g6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit?
After 1. Nc3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. Nxb5 for White, continuing Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. g3 e6 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O c5. White is clearly better (+1.18). The next best moves are 2. a3 (+0.52) and 2. d4 (+0.27).
Is the Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.18: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Van Geet Opening: Laroche 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+).