Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
12,030 games: White 54.5% / Draw 4.1% / Black 41.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,3065,306 | ||
| 2,4002,400 | ||
| 2,2862,286 | ||
| 1,1881,188 | ||
| 285285 | ||
| 213213 | ||
| 114114 | ||
| 5353 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.75 White is clearly better
Best play: 3. Nxe5 Nf6 4. d4 Bb4 5. g3 d5 6. Bg2 c6 7. a3 Bxc3+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch, reached after 1. Nc3 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5 (2 moves).
In 12,030 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.5%, Black 41.3% and 4.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Nxe5, in 44% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit
The most played answer, 3. Nxe5, also scores best for White: 60.1%, with White winning 58.3% and Black 38.1% of 5,306 games. Of the main answers, 3. e4 scores lowest: 50.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. Nxe5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Van Geet Opening: Billockus-Johansen Gambit (A00)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/van-geet-opening-billockus-johansen-gambit