Van't Kruijs Opening

Van’t Kruijs Opening

Definition

The Van’t Kruijs Opening is the chess opening that begins with the modest pawn move 1. e3. Classified under ECO code A00 (“Irregular Openings”), it is named after the 19th-century Dutch master Maarten van’t Kruijs (1820-1885). Because the move only advances the king’s pawn one square, it neither fights for the center as vigorously as 1. e4 or 1. d4 nor develops a piece. Its primary appeal lies in flexibility: White keeps almost every mainstream opening system in reserve and can adapt once Black reveals a setup.

Typical Move-Order & Transpositional Potential

After 1. e3, virtually every reply is possible, leading to a rich web of transpositions:

  • 1…e5 2.d4 → Exchange French reversed.
  • 1…d5 2.Nf3 → Colle-Zukertort or Queen’s Gambit–type positions.
  • 1…c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 → Sicilian flavours with colors reversed.
  • 1…f5 2.e4 → Staunton Gambit against the Dutch, but with an extra tempo.
  • 1…g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 → King’s Indian Defence with colors reversed.

Strategic Themes

Because White postpones any commitment:

  • Flexibility: White can enter Queen’s Pawn, English, Réti, or reversed French structures.
  • Solid but Passive: The move opens the queen’s diagonal and supports a later d2-d4, yet concedes the immediate fight for d4/e4 squares.
  • Psychological Surprise: Opponents prepared for main-line theory must now think for themselves from move one.
  • Tempo Edge in Reversed Openings: Many transpositions give White a reversed Black opening but with an extra tempo—e.g., a French Exchange where White is effectively a move up.

Historical Notes & Anecdotes

  • Maarten van’t Kruijs was considered one of the strongest Dutch players of his era, reportedly able to give knight odds to most contemporaries.
  • World Champion Magnus Carlsen has occasionally employed 1. e3 in rapid and blitz, notably vs. Alexander Grischuk (World Blitz 2015), scoring a quick win after steering the game into a Queen’s Indian with colors reversed.
  • In the 1960s correspondence scene, 1. e3 was popular among theorists who enjoyed steering opponents into unfamiliar reversed French structures.
  • The opening is sometimes misspelled “Van’t Kruys” or “Van Kruijs.”

Model Games

1. Van’t Kruijs vs. Anonymous, Amsterdam 1850 (casual)

According to Dutch sources, the originator used the move 1. e3 repeatedly in café play, reaching positions akin to the French Exchange and scoring well.

2. Carlsen vs. Grischuk, World Blitz 2015

Carlsen used the flexible setup to obtain a Maroczy-bind structure with an extra tempo, later converting in a tactical middlegame.

3. Ivanchuk vs. Domínguez, Linares Blindfold 2009

Ivanchuk steered the game into a flexible Réti-English blend, eventually winning an opposite-colored bishop ending.

Common Plans for White

  1. Quick d2–d4: Mimic Queen’s Pawn openings while keeping the c-pawn flexible.
  2. c2–c4 & g2–g3: Transpose to English or Catalan-type setups.
  3. f2–f4 ideas: If Black plays …e5 early, White may adopt a reversed Dutch or Bird’s Opening with an extra tempo.
  4. Delayed central break e3–e4: A timely push can hit an unsuspecting …d5 pawn or create a French Advance reversed.

Typical Black Responses & Counter-Plans

  • Direct Center Grab: 1…e5 or 1…d5 attempts to seize space immediately; Black should continue normal development and avoid over-reacting to the offbeat first move.
  • Symmetry with …e6: Leads to structures close to Queen’s Indian or French; plan on …c5 and …d5 to blunt White’s bishop on b5/g2.
  • Indian-Style Fianchetto: 1…Nf6 followed by …g6 brings about King’s Indian or Grünfeld-like positions.
  • Sicilian Approach: 1…c5 2.Nf3 d5 gives Black central counterplay, treating the game like an Alapin-Sicilian in reverse.

Practical Tips

  • Use 1. e3 as a “theory-killer” in rapid/blitz or against heavily booked opponents.
  • Remember that because you have not fianchettoed, the c1-bishop can become passive; plan either b2-b3 & Bb2, or rapid c2-c4 to free it.
  • Keep an eye on the e3 pawn; in certain lines (e.g., …Bg4 pins), it can turn into a tactical target after …e5-e4 breaks.

Interesting Factoids

  • Despite its reputation as an oddity, engines evaluated 1. e3 at roughly +0.20 to +0.25 (Stockfish 16, depth 40), not far behind main lines.
  • The opening occasionally appears in correspondence games because it can transpose to virtually any system, allowing deep home preparation.
  • In some Dutch chess clubs, 1. e3 used to be jokingly called “the Amsterdam Defence” when adopted by Black after 1. e4 (i.e., 1…e6).
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Last updated 2025-07-13