Van Geet Opening: Nowokunski Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
506 games: White 45.7% / Draw 3.6% / Black 50.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 227227 | ||
| 140140 | ||
| 2424 | ||
| 2222 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1717 | ||
| 1414 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.13 Black is better
Best play: 3... fxe3 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O c6 8. Bxe3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Van Geet Opening: Nowokunski Gambit (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Van Geet Opening: Reversed Nimzowitsch, reached after 1. Nc3 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. e4 (3 moves).
In 506 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.7%, Black 50.8% and 3.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…fxe3, in 45% 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: Nowokunski Gambit
3…Qh4+ scores best for Black: 62.1%, with Black winning 60.7% and White 36.4% of 140 games. The most played answer, 3…fxe3, scores lowest: 50.9% in 227 games. Stockfish's first choice is 3…fxe3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Van Geet Opening: Nowokunski Gambit (A00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/van-geet-opening-nowokunski-gambit