How To Master The Van't Kruijs Opening

If you want to confuse your opponents from move one without a truly offbeat move, then this week I've got the opening for you.

The Van't Kruijs Opening is an unusual opening that catches most players off guard, where they'll spend half their turn trying to figure out what you're doing.

While most players are clashing in the center with pawns, the Van't Kruijs takes a much more chill approach, making a deceptively modest move that offers a range of flexible responses.

But before we get going, a quick announcement.

I'll soon have a brand new 'Opening Mastery Pack' which covers the basics of opening theory along with examples of popular responses to e4 and d4. For those that aren't too comfortable with opening theory and who haven't picked up the Ultimate Bundle yet, it's a great tool. Will be in touch with more info soon.

So, Van't Kruijs, what's it all about?

Van't Kruijs Opening
​1. e3

Yeah, that's it. Almost a slip of the mouse, failing to drag the King's pawn out to e4... but what if e3 was the real plan?

While everyone else is battling for the center with e4 or d4, you're sitting back with the chess equivalent of "I'm just here for the vibes", while still showing some acknoweldgement to the power of the center.

Named after 19th-century Dutch player Maarten van't Kruijs, this opening shows you're not in a hurry and gives your opponent a chance to make a move, while still holding a somewhat flexible position for future development.

The Psychology Behind It

Here's what really happens when you play e3.

Your opponent was probably expecting a normal game. They've studied their Sicilian Defense, brushed up on their Queen's Gambit responses, maybe even prepared for some offbeat stuff like the King's Indian Attack.

But then, out of nowhere... e3. What?!

Suddenly, your opponent is thinking this could be a mistake, or that you're trying to transpose into something else. All the while, their clock is burning down trying to figure out your 'mysterious' plan, and you're remaining calm and flexible while developing pieces. Easy peasy.

But... what IS that plan?

This opening isn't about immediate control, but instead flexibility and adaptability. Your game plan is:

Keep your options open for different pawn structures Develop harmoniously without committing to specific plans Transpose into other openings based on what Black does Avoid heavy theoretical battles ​

It's an opening that lets you be reactive in a controlled way, waiting to see what happens rather than forcing action. If you like to play Black rather than White, the Van't Kruijs is probably a good fit.

Responses and Consequences

Black has a few main responses to the subtly baffling e3...

1...e5 (36%) Takes the center, but lets White transpose into a King's Indian Attack setup. White gets good practical chances in the middlegame.

1...d5 (21%) Again takes the center, but allows White to prepare piece development and/or transpose into a strong version of the Colle System.

1...Nf6 (5%) Natural development while keeping central development open. 2. d4 or Nf3 maintain flexibility for White. Creates positional games.

Other options include c5 (10% of games), which is an ambitious attempt to control the center from the side, Sicilian-style. e6 is also an option for Black to let White take the lead as normal.

And now, here's a tactical example of the Van't Kruijs in action.

1. e3 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 From this position, we've transposed into a Ruy Lopez where Black has committed to ...e5 early.

3…a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 White has reached an excellent version of the Ruy Lopez where the early e3 supports the coming d4 beautifully. The pawn structure is rock-solid, and Black often finds themselves in unfamiliar territory since they expected something completely different after e3.

9...h6 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 These moves create a powerful pawn center. h3 prevents Black's natural 11...Bg4, and White has 12. d5, with a strong space advantage and initiative. And all this came from the innocent-looking 1. e3.

Perfect For Positional Players

This opening is perfect for players who excel at positional understanding over memorisation, those who enjoy psychological battles, and chess players who want to avoid the theoretical arms race of mainstream openings.

Want To Master The Van't Kruijs?

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Is the Van't Kruijs for you?

So, what do you think about playing e3 on turn 1? Would you rather take the backseat and let Black control the play, or would you rather shift that piece one square forward?

Hit reply and let me know - I'd love to tailor these emails to the playstyle that most readers have.

And if there's an opening you'd like covered, simply email me and I'll add it to the schedule!

I'll be back next Tuesday with another chess opening...
Until then, keep climbing!

James
Chess Cheat Sheets
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