Chess Opening · A00
Van T Kruijs Opening
For sub-1000 ELO players
The Van 't Kruijs Opening (ECO A00) starts with the passive 1. e3, which blocks in White's dark-squared bishop and gives up any first-move advantage. Stockfish 17 at depth 25 evaluates the position at roughly -0.2 after the main line with 1. e3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 c5, meaning Black has a slight edge. Sub-1000 ELO players facing this opening should seize the center with d5 and challenge White's pawn structure with c5.
The Best Response
Moves to Play
White · Black alternating
1. e3 d52. d4 Nf63. Bd3 c5White opens with 1. e3, a timid move that blocks the dark-squared bishop on c1. Black immediately grabs the center with 1...d5. White plays 2. d4 to contest the center, and Black develops the knight to f6 with tempo. After 3. Bd3, Black strikes with 3...c5, directly challenging the d4 pawn and opening lines in the center.
Who Stands Better
(slight advantage for White)
Copy these moves:
1. e3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e63 Mistakes Sub-1000 Players Make
These are the patterns we see in games below 1000 ELO. Fix these and you'll stop losing to this opening.
Not seizing central space
Sub-1000 players sometimes respond to 1. e3 with a timid move of their own, like 1...e6 or 1...Nf6. They do not realize that White has handed them the center on a silver platter.
Bb5+Not challenging the d4 pawn
Beginners let White establish d4 without ever questioning it. They develop pieces randomly instead of targeting the center with a timely c5.
c4Slow development against a passive opening
When White plays slowly, sub-1000 players as Black often match that slow pace. They shuffle pieces around instead of developing with purpose to exploit White's passivity.
Nc3Why This Opening Trips You Up
The Core Problem
Sub-1000 players do not know what to do when an opponent plays something as passive as 1. e3. They assume it must have some hidden strength and play cautiously, when the correct approach is to grab the center aggressively.
Before Your Next Game
If your opponent opens with 1. e3, take a breath and smile. This is a gift. Play d5 right away, develop your pieces quickly, and you will have a better position by move 5.
What to Study
Practice the response 1. e3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 c5 against a bot until it feels automatic. The key lesson is that passive openings deserve aggressive central responses.
Engine-verified by Stockfish 17 at depth 25. Reviewed by Jon Stenstrom, Chess.com 759 Daily, Founder, 1000elo.com.
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