The Van't Kruijs Opening arises after 1.e3 and falls under ECO code A00. This irregular opening is considered rather passive — while it opens lines for the bishop and queen, it invites Black to dominate the center with ...e5 and ...d5. Black has many sound responses: 1...Nf6, 1...e5, 1...d5, and 1...c5 are all reasonable, while 1...g6 (intending ...Bg7) or 1...Nf6 followed by 2...g6 offers a flexible approach against the many possible transpositions. Since e3 appears in numerous White opening systems, play can easily transpose into the English Opening (after c4), Queen's Pawn Game (after d4), Larsen's Opening (after b3 and Bb2), and others. One strategic issue is that the e3 pawn blocks the queenside bishop, which must then be developed via e4 (spending another tempo), the passive d2 square, or a fianchetto to b2. An unusual possibility is 1...e5 2.e4!?, which reaches a standard Open Game (1.e4 e5) but with colors reversed, giving Black the move. With 79.1 million Lichess games across all rating levels, it is one of the most popular openings.
Statistics
Based on 79.1 million Lichess games across all rating levels:
- White wins: 46.5%
- Black wins: 49.2%
- Draws: 4.3%
Interestingly, Black scores well in this opening, suggesting it offers strong counterplay.
Main Lines and Variations
After 1.e3, the main continuations include:
Each of these lines leads to distinct types of positions and requires its own understanding of the resulting pawn structures and piece placements.
Practice on Chessiverse
The best way to learn the Van't Kruijs Opening is through practice. On Chessiverse, you can play chess against computer opponents that specialize in this opening. Our AI bots range from beginner to grandmaster level, each with unique playing styles — from aggressive attackers to solid defenders. Choose a bot that matches your rating and work your way up as you master the opening's key ideas.
