ECO A00 · Van Geet Opening

Van Geet Opening: Novosibirsk Variation

1. Nc3 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qh4

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

4… d5−0.48

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Van Geet Opening: Novosibirsk Variation (A00), reached after 1. Nc3 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qh4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.484… d5 5. e4 d4 6. Nd5 e6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Nf4 Nf6 9. f3
  2. +0.194… e6 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. e4 Bb4 8. Bd2 Bxc3 9. Bxc3
  3. +0.244… h5 5. e4 Nb4 6. Bd3 e6 7. Bg5 Nxd3+ 8. cxd3 f6 9. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Van Geet Opening: Novosibirsk Variation?
After 1. Nc3 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qh4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black, continuing 5. e4 d4 6. Nd5 e6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Nf4 Nf6 9. f3. Black is slightly better (−0.48). The next best moves are 4… e6 (+0.19) and 4… h5 (+0.24).
Is the Van Geet Opening: Novosibirsk Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.48: 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: Novosibirsk Variation?
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+).