Caissa Codex
A00

Van't Kruijs Opening: Keoni-Hiva Gambit, Ekolu Variation

Chess diagram: Van't Kruijs Opening: Keoni-Hiva Gambit, Ekolu Variation after 4. Nf3

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Statistics from Lichess

1,071 games: White 45.5% / Draw 4.6% / Black 50.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
835835
8585
7373
1616
1414
1010
1010
66

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026

Engine evaluation

−1.14 Black is better

Best play: 4... Nf6 5. exf4 Bd6 6. Nb5 Bxf4 7. Qe2+ Kf8 8. g3 a6 9. gxf4

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Van't Kruijs Opening: Keoni-Hiva Gambit, Ekolu Variation (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Van't Kruijs Opening, reached after 1. e3 e5 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 (4 moves).

In 1,071 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.5%, Black 50.0% and 4.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…fxe3, in 78% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 1…e5 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3, the position after Van't Kruijs Opening also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Van't Kruijs Opening: Keoni-Hiva Gambit, Ekolu Variation (A00)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/vant-kruijs-opening-keoni-hiva-gambit-ekolu-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/vant-kruijs-opening-keoni-hiva-gambit-ekolu-variation