Van Geet Opening · A00

Nowokunski Gambit

1. Nc3 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. e4

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as Black's avenue and the f-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Van Geet Opening.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Reversed Nimzowitsch.
• 2. f4 Challenges the pawn on e5 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Bahr Gambit: development and initiative over material.
• 2... exf4 Takes the pawn on f4, toward the centre.

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