Van Geet Opening: what to play after c6?

Arising after Black's move c6 in the Van Geet Opening, this position invites White to claim central space, with the primary recommendation being e4. With an engine evaluation of +0.36, e4 transposes into familiar Caro-Kann structures where White's knight already occupies c3. It represents the most frequent choice, selected in 46.4% of recorded games (731K recorded) with White scoring 51.6% of points.

Central Occupation with 2. e4

Advancing the king's pawn via e4 establishes direct control over the center and immediately activates White's pieces. An illustrative continuation following this move is e4 d5 d4 dxe4 Nxe4 Nd7, leading to standard open middlegame play typical of the Caro-Kann Defense. By committing the pawn to e4, White capitalizes on Black's modest initial setup and secures a stable spatial foundation.

Main Alternatives: 2. d4 and 2. Nf3

White can also steer the game along other classical paths by pushing the queen's pawn. The continuation d4 is chosen in 32.9% of games (519K recorded), carries an evaluation of +0.32, and achieves a 52.0% score for White. An illustrative engine line features an immediate transposition to open play via d4 d5 e4 dxe4 Nxe4 Nd7. Developing the kingside piece with Nf3 is another viable alternative, played in 20.7% of games (327K recorded) with a +0.24 evaluation and a 50.5% White score, illustrated by the continuation Nf3 d5 e4 Bg4 d4 Nf6.

Peripheral Options

Flank expansions such as h3 and h4 yield much lower evaluations of +0.03 and -0.01 respectively. In the engine line h3 d5 e4 d4 Nce2 e5, Black gains central space without impediment. Similarly, h4 d5 d4 Nf6 Bf4 Bf5 demonstrates that flank moves surrender White's initial move advantage compared to classical development.