Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
6,499 games: White 47.9% / Draw 4.6% / Black 47.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,7112,711 | ||
| 1,7091,709 | ||
| 694694 | ||
| 509509 | ||
| 234234 | ||
| 151151 | ||
| 131131 | ||
| 123123 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.04 White is better
Best play: 2. Nxb5 d5 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d4 e6 6. e3 Nbd7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Van Geet Opening, reached after 1. Nc3 b5 (1 move).
In 6,499 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 47.4% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 2. Nxb5, in 42% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Van Geet Opening: Laroche Gambit
The most played answer, 2. Nxb5, also scores best for White: 56.0%, with White winning 53.7% and Black 41.8% of 2,711 games. Of the main answers, 2. Nf3 scores lowest: 42.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 2. Nxb5.
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: Laroche Gambit (A00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/van-geet-opening-laroche-gambit