Van't Kruijs Opening: Bouncing Bishop Variation

This opening is characterized by an early fianchetto of the bishop to control the central squares and put pressure on the opponent's position.

The opening starts with a quiet pawn move followed by a counterattack in the center by the opponent. White responds by developing the bishop to an active square, putting pressure on the f7 square. Black then tries to chase the bishop away with a pawn move on the queenside. White retreats the bishop to a safe square, maintaining the pressure on the opponent's position. This opening can lead to a flexible pawn structure for both sides, with opportunities for both players to develop their pieces harmoniously. It is not a common opening at the highest levels of play, but it can be a surprise weapon to catch opponents off guard. Players who enjoy quiet, strategic positions may find this opening appealing. Overall, it is a solid choice for players looking to avoid mainline theory and steer the game into more uncharted territory.