Learn Dutch: Is dit de beste zet? Ik denk van wel. - Is this the best move? I think so.

In English, we say "I think so," but in Dutch, you cannot say Ik denk zo to mean this. Instead, after verbs of thinking, feeling, or communicating (like denken, hopen, or vinden), you must use van wel to express a positive expectation or belief, and van niet for a negative one.

What exactly is van wel substituting in this sentence?

It substitutes the entire affirmative subclause that would otherwise follow. Without van wel, you would have to repeat the whole idea: Ik denk dat dit de beste zet is (I think that this is the best move). Van wel acts as a neat, natural shorthand.

The word zet is translated as "move." Can I use this for moving to a new house or moving my body?

No, zet refers specifically to a strategic move, like a move in a board game (such as chess) or a metaphorical step in a plan or negotiation. To physically move your body is bewegen, and moving to a new house is verhuizen.

Why is it de beste zet and not just het beste?