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Van Geet Opening

Battambang Variation

A00offbeat

  1. 1.a3e5
  2. 2.Nc3
886 games51%45%

Offbeat A00 line in which White follows 1. a3 e5 with 2. Nc3, a Van Geet setup where a3 keeps ...Bb4 out; Black most often strikes with 2...d5.

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About the Battambang Variation

The Battambang Variation reaches the Van Geet position after 1...e5, the Reversed Nimzowitsch, with White's a3 already played. That pawn move covers b4, so Black cannot pin the knight with ...Bb4. The most common answer is 2...d5, occupying the center. 2...Nf6 and 2...Nc6 are the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and in online games the results are close to even, with White slightly ahead.

Popular continuations