Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch and Napoleon Attack
Van Geet Opening (1. Nc3)
Definition
The Van Geet Opening begins with the move 1. Nc3 by White. Because it does not immediately stake a claim in the centre with a pawn, ECO classifies it under the “irregular” code A00. The line is named after the Dutch correspondence-chess master Dirk van Geet, who explored it extensively during the 1960-70s.
Typical Ideas & Usage
- Flexibility: 1. Nc3 keeps almost every central pawn structure in reserve. Depending on Black’s reply, White can transpose into an e4-opening (e.g., 1…e5 2.e4), a d4-opening (1…d5 2.d4), or head for independent systems such as 1…g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.d4 with Vienna-type positions.
- Piece-play first: The move develops a knight to its most natural square, prepares e2–e4 while exerting indirect control over d5 and e4, and discourages …d5–d4 breaks because the knight already hits d5.
- Psychological weapon: Most opponents meet 1. Nc3 rarely, so they must choose a set-up on their own rather than rely on memorised main-line theory.
Main Branches
- Symmetrical reply: 1…Nc6 can transpose into a Four Knights after 2.e4 e5 3.Nf3 Nf6, but White may keep the game original with 2.d4 or 2.Nf3.
- French set-up: 1…e6 often leads to 2.e4 d5 3.Nf3, a French Defence where White has gained an extra developing tempo compared to normal lines.
- Scandinavian approach: 1…d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nxe4 reproduces the Scandinavian Defence, but again with colours reversed and White a tempo up.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The clip shows how early piece pressure and extra tempo can snowball: after 11.O-O-O White already threatens d5–d6 with a large initiative.
Historical & Strategic Significance
- The opening was occasionally tried by Savielly Tartakower in simultaneous exhibitions and by Richard Réti in his hyper-modern experiments.
- In modern over-the-board play, it surfaces most in rapid and blitz, but grandmasters such as Baadur Jobava and Richard Rapport have wheeled it out in classical tournaments to avoid well-analysed positions.
Interesting Facts
- Because 1. Nc3 usually transposes back into mainstream openings, many databases list Van Geet games under the later move order, making its true frequency hard to measure.
- The ECO volume A00 catalogs it under two alternative names—“Van Geet Opening” and “Reversed Nimzowitsch”—highlighting its dual heritage (see next entry).
Reversed Nimzowitsch
Definition
The term “Reversed Nimzowitsch” is essentially a synonym for the Van Geet Opening. It emphasises that White, by playing 1. Nc3, adopts the move order of the Nimzowitsch Defence (1.e4 Nc6) but with colours reversed and an extra tempo.
How It Is Used
Players who like the strategic themes of the Nimzowitsch Defence yet prefer to start with White can “reverse” the defence:
- Nimzowitsch Defence (Black): 1.e4 Nc6 aiming for …d5, …e5 or …f5 ideas.
- Reversed Version (White): 1.Nc3 with identical flexibility—White may support d4, e4 or even f4 with an additional tempo.
This framing is useful when studying model games. Any strategic plan that works for Black in the Nimzowitsch may work even better for White when “reversed.”
Strategic Significance
- Tempo advantage: In many main-line Nimzowitsch positions Black strives to equalise; the reversed player (White) may instead fight directly for an initiative because of the extra move.
- Theory transfer: Club players who already know the Nimzowitsch Defence can easily adapt their repertoire to the white side by inverting colours.
Example Reference Game
Online blitz, Jobava – Firouzja (chess.com Titled Tuesday, 2021): 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Nf6 4.Nxf6+ exf6 5.d4 Be6 6.Nf3 … Jobava built a broad centre and won in 25 moves—an instructive illustration of the extra tempo in action.
Anecdote
The phrase “Reversed Nimzowitsch” was popularised by the British IM Mike Basman, who jokingly claimed it gave him “all the terror of the Nimzowitsch Defence, but now directed at my opponent instead of at me.”
Napoleon Attack (1. e4 e5 2. Qf3)
Definition
The Napoleon Attack arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Qf3. White immediately brings the queen to f3, simultaneously eyeing the f7-pawn and supporting an eventual d2–d4 break.
Origin of the Name
Legend credits Napoleon Bonaparte with employing the move in an 1804 casual game against the Court of The Hague. Whether the story is apocryphal or not, the name has endured for over two centuries.
Strategic Themes
- Direct pressure on f7: The queen and bishop (after Bc4) create a basic mating net resembling the Scholar’s Mate.
- Early queen development: The downside is that Qf3 invites the gain-of-tempo move …Nc6, …Nd4 or …Nf6, forcing the queen to decide on a stable square later.
- Psychology over theory: At club level the opening can coax inaccuracies from an unprepared opponent, but objectively Black can equalise (or better) with accurate play.
Main Defensive Set-ups for Black
- 2…Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6! covering the f7-square and hitting e4; after 4.Ne2 Bc5 Black has harmonious development.
- 2…Nf6 immediately attacks the e4-pawn, often leading to a reverse Petroff where White’s queen may become a target.
- 2…d5!? strikes in the centre before White can coordinate, e.g., 3.exd5 Nf6 regaining the pawn with an edge in development.
Illustrative Historical Game
Morphy – Schrufer, Paris 1859: 1.e4 e5 2.Qf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.c3 d6 5.Ne2 Bg4 6.Qg3 Bxe2 7.Bxe2 … Morphy demonstrated how to steer the play into quieter channels once Black neutralised the f7-threat, later winning in a 63-move endgame.
Modern Example
Here the queen’s early adventure leaves White slightly behind in development; Black’s extra tempi on the minor pieces compensate for any pressure on f7.
Interesting Facts
- The move 2.Qf3 violates the classical principle “Do not bring your queen out too early,” making it a favourite in instructional material about opening principles.
- In some databases the line is also called the Parchov Variation or Kansas City Attack, but “Napoleon Attack” remains the most colourful—and memorable—label.
- According to the MasterBase subset (games rated 2400+), 2.Qf3 scores below 35 % for White, underscoring its dubious objective value.