Understanding before Moving 34: The priniciples of Dick Van Geet

by ChessBase
7/4/2021 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the 34th instalment of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving", Herman talks about the chess principles Dutch International Master and chess thinker Dick Van Geet, advocate of 1.Nc3. | Photo: Tommy Grooten

ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024 ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024

It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it. Start your personal success story with ChessBase and enjoy the game even more.

More...

An interesting figure in Dutch chess was the International Master Dick van Geet (1932-2012). I met him in December 1997 in Cannes, where I worked as coach of the Dutch delegation of juniors who played in the Junior World Championships U10, U12 and U14.

The organisers had invited Dick to give a lecture, and as this lecture was during the games of my students, I had the chance to listen to it. The title of his lecture  intrigued me: 1.Nc3!, better known as the Van Geet Opening. As a player, I was only once confronted with this curious opening move but now had the opportunity to hear the man who elevated this opening system to a dangerous weapon talk about the line.

Standing before a mixed company of trainers, coaches, parents and juniors, Van Geet showed his didactic skills and started his lecture with an interesting statement. He said, that the moves 1. e4, 1.d4 or 1.c4 are generally considered to be best. But as Van Geet explained to the attentive audience, none of these moves is really a developing move, as a pawn move merely enables the development of the pieces. However, with 1. Nc3 or 1.Nf3, he taught, a piece  is immediately brought into play.

The diagram position is from a game with 1.Nc3 and White now surprised his opponent with a great move. Do you see how White proceeded here?

 

This week’s show (for Premium Members only)

Links


Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register