Van – Dutch surname particle in chess terminology

Van

Definition

In chess writing and databases, “van” is not a chess move or tactic but a Dutch and Flemish name particle meaning “of” or “from.” It appears in the surnames of many players and in the names of several openings and systems attributed to Dutch masters. Examples include Jorden van Foreest, Loek van Wely, and openings such as the Van Geet Opening and the Van ’t Kruijs Opening.

Usage in Chess

“Van” appears in two primary ways:

As part of a player’s surname, e.g., “Jorden van Foreest,” “Loek van Wely.” In Dutch, the particle is typically lowercase in running text unless it begins a sentence; databases may capitalize it depending on their style.
Within opening names derived from players’ surnames that include the particle, such as the Van Geet Opening (1. Nc3) and the Van ’t Kruijs Opening (1. e3).

In tournament pairings, PGN headers, and FIDE lists, treatments vary. FIDE often stores the entire surname in uppercase (e.g., “VAN FOREEST”), while books and articles might write “van Foreest.” When searching databases, try both “van Foreest” and “Van Foreest.”

Strategic and Historical Significance

While the particle “van” itself carries no strategic meaning, several systems and ideas in opening theory bear surnames that include it, reflecting the contributions of Dutch masters to chess history:

Van Geet Opening (1. Nc3): Named after Dutch IM Dick van Geet (1932–2012). A flexible first move that can transpose into e4, d4, or flank openings and aims to sidestep heavy theory while developing a kingside knight early.
Van ’t Kruijs Opening (1. e3): Named after Dutch player Maarten van ’t Kruijs (1813–1885). A restrained, system-oriented start that prepares d4 or c4, keeps options open, and often leads to quiet maneuvering games.

Examples

Players:
- Jorden van Foreest: Winner of Tata Steel Masters 2021, notable for resourceful, dynamic play.
- Loek van Wely: Multiple-time Dutch Champion and long-time elite grandmaster.
- Dick van Geet: Eponym of 1. Nc3, known for creative opening exploration.
- Maarten van ’t Kruijs: Early Dutch master whose name is attached to 1. e3.
Openings:
- Van Geet Opening: 1. Nc3. Sample line:
- Van ’t Kruijs Opening: 1. e3. Sample line showing flexible development:
Famous event mention: Jorden van Foreest won Tata Steel Masters 2021 after a playoff against Anish Giri, highlighting the continued prominence of Dutch chess.

Conventions and Tips

Capitalization: In Dutch, the particle is lowercase unless it begins a sentence (e.g., “van Foreest” in mid-sentence, “Van Foreest” if starting a line). Many English-language chess sources capitalize it consistently as “Van,” and databases may use all caps for the full surname.
Indexing and sorting: Some indices file “van Foreest” under “F,” others under “V.” When searching, try both conventions.
PGN headers: You may encounter [White "van Foreest, Jorden"] or [White "Jorden Van Foreest"]. Both are common; keep consistency within a file or publication.
Do not treat “van” as a middle name; it is part of the surname.

Interesting Facts

The van Foreest family is a multi-generational chess dynasty: Dirk van Foreest won multiple Dutch Championships in the late 19th century, and in modern times Jorden and Lucas van Foreest have both been national champions.
Dick van Geet championed 1. Nc3 long before it became a popular surprise weapon, proving that flexible, offbeat first moves can be strategically sound.
Maarten van ’t Kruijs’s 1. e3 often transposes, teaching an important lesson: move orders can be used to steer opponents into less theoretical channels.