Nimzo-Larsen Attack - 1. b3
Nimzo-Larsen Attack - 1. b3
White opens the long diagonal to fianchetto the bishop and pressure the centre from a distance.
Overview
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack begins with the quiet 1.b3, and its guiding idea shows up at once: prepare 2.Bb2 so the bishop sits in fianchetto on the long a1-h8 diagonal. White declines to occupy the centre with pawns on move one and instead controls it from a distance, leaning on the e5 and d4 squares.
The name honours Bent Larsen, who championed these flank set-ups at the highest level, and points to Nimzowitsch’s outlook: control squares rather than occupy them, develop flexibly, and commit the pawn structure only after seeing the opponent’s.
It suits players who dislike memorising long theory and prefer to understand plans. Because Black is free to choose almost any reply, the game leaves well-trodden paths quickly, so understanding structures matters far more than knowing move orders.
The resulting positions are typically asymmetrical: Black grabs the centre with e5 and d5, while White works against it from the wings with e3, f4, Bb5 or c4. Play often turns tense and concrete early, as in the main line where both sides fight over e5 and the d-file.
Strengths: surprise value, no prepared opponents, harmonious pieces behind a low structure. Risks: if White dawdles, Black simply settles into a comfortable e5+d5 centre with more space, and the b2 bishop can end up as a spectator behind its own pawns.
The main line, move by move
Every move is explained: play through them in order to understand the opening’s logic.
- 1. b3White opens the long diagonal to fianchetto the bishop and pressure the centre from a distance.
- 1… e5Black grabs central space at once and frees the dark-squared bishop.
- 2. Bb2The bishop takes the long diagonal and immediately trains its sights on Black’s advanced pawn.
- 2… Nc6Black props up the central pawn before continuing with natural development.
- 3. e3This modest pawn move prepares the f4 advance against Black’s centre.
- 3… d5Black widens the central grip and clears a path for the light-squared bishop.
- 4. Bb5The bishop harasses the knight defending the central pawn, just before White’s pawn strike.
- 4… Bd6Black adds a defender to the central pawn while clearing the way to castle.
- 5. f4The push hits Black’s centre and opens lines for White’s pieces on that file.
- 5… f6Black shores up the central pawn instead of surrendering the centre without a fight.
- 6. Qh5+The check exploits the diagonal loosened by f6 to unsettle Black’s king.
- 6… g6Black answers the check, yet the kingside grows even more porous.
- 7. Qh4The queen stays on the diagonal, keeping pressure on Black’s weakened squares.
- 7… Bd7Black protects the attacked knight and finally links up the queenside pieces.
- 8. Nc3The knight joins the fight for the centre and prepares a transfer toward the kingside.
- 8… d4Black advances to push the knight away and shut down the white bishop’s diagonal.
- 9. Ne4The knight lands on an ideal central square and eyes Black’s kingside weaknesses.
- 9… dxe3Black opens lines toward White’s uncastled king to generate counterplay.
- 10. O-O-OWhite tucks the king away and brings the rook to the critical open file.
- 10… exd2+Black pushes with check to win material and disturb White’s coordination.
- 11. Rxd2The rook recaptures while staying on the open file, facing Black’s still uncastled camp.
Plans for both sides
White’s plan
Put the bishop on b2 in fianchetto and attack Black’s centre from the flanks: e3 and f4 to challenge e5, or c4 to hit d5. Develop briskly (Bb5, Nc3, Ne2 or Nf3) while keeping the king safe. Then look for an open file, usually the d- or f-file, to activate the rooks.
Black’s plan
Take the centre without hesitation with e5 and d5, backing those pawns up with Nc6, Bd6 and f6. Guard the e5 point, the main target of the b2 bishop and the f4 pawn. Then use the extra space: push d5-d4 to open lines, or simply develop calmly and rely on the sounder centre.
Main variations
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 2…Nc6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 2…Nc6 reply (~23% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 2…c5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 2…c5 reply (~22% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 2…Bf5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 2…Bf5 reply (~8% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 2…d5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 2…d5 reply (~16% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 2…d6
ECO A01Frequent line: the 2…d6 reply (~23% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 2…d6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 2…d6 reply (~10% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 2…e6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 2…e6 reply (~10% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 2…e6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 2…e6 reply (~23% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 2…g6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 2…g6 reply (~40% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 2…Nf6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 2…Nf6 reply (~16% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 2…d6, 3…Nc6
ECO A01Frequent line: 2…d6, the 3…Nc6 reply (~21% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 3…Nc6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 3…Nc6 reply (~16% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 3…c5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 3…c5 reply (~21% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 3…c5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 3…c5 reply (~18% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 3…Bf5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 3…Bf5 reply (~14% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 3…Bg4
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 3…Bg4 reply (~23% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 3…d6
ECO A01Frequent line: the 3…d6 reply (~8% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 3…Bc5
ECO A01Frequent line: the 3…Bc5 reply (~10% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 3…Be7
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 3…Be7 reply (~28% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 3…g6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 3…g6 reply (~10% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 3…Nf6
ECO A01Frequent line: the 3…Nf6 reply (~19% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 3…Nf6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 3…Nf6 reply (~8% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 4…c5
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 4…c5 reply (~25% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 4…Bd7
ECO A01Frequent line: the 4…Bd7 reply (~11% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 4…Bg4
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 4…Bg4 reply (~24% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 4…e6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 4…e6 reply (~8% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…d5, 4…f6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…d5, the 4…f6 reply (~12% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 1…Nf6, 4…Bd6
ECO A01Frequent line: 1…Nf6, the 4…Bd6 reply (~12% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack — 5…Qe7
ECO A01Frequent line: the 5…Qe7 reply (~25% at peer level). Engine-verified continuation.
Typical pawn structures
Queenside b2-b3 fianchetto versus Black’s e5-d5 centre
This is the canonical Nimzo-Larsen structure: a low White pawn set-up (b3, e3, f4) with the bishop in fianchetto on b2, facing Black’s e5-d5 duo propped up by f6. The whole game revolves around the e5 square. White should keep the tension with f4, develop Nc3 and Ne2, and only release it when opening the a1-h8 diagonal actually helps; the f-file can also become an asset after a trade on e5. Black defends e5 with Nc6, Bd6 and f6, keeps the space edge, and waits for the right moment to push d5-d4, shutting out the b2 bishop and opening lines toward White’s king. A classic thinking error is trading on e5 without need, which frees Black’s pieces and leaves the f4 pawn loose.
Open d-file after the d4/dxe3 break
The typical main-line structure once Black has pushed d5-d4 and the central pawns have been traded off: the d-file is open and White’s rook lands naturally on d2 after castling long. White plays on that file and against the potential weakness of d5 and the e5 point, keeping the b2 bishop active on the now-cleared diagonal. Black must contest the d-file with Qe7 and Rd8, finish developing and make sure the king does not linger in the centre. Both kings are less sheltered than usual here, so rook activity and king safety matter more than counting material.
Common mistakes
Treating 1.b3 as a mere waiting move and developing at random as Black. This is the most common thinking error: 1.b3 is slow, and Black should cash in by occupying the centre with e5 and d5. Staying passive simply hands White the only clear plan on the board.
On White’s side, assuming the b2 bishop does the job by itself. Without e3 and f4 (or c4), the diagonal stays blocked by Black’s e5 pawn and the bishop bites on nothing. The queenside fianchetto only pays off when combined with pawn pressure against the enemy centre.
The Qh5+ check in the main line is misread by both sides. It is not a winning attack: it is a check that provokes g6 and gains a tempo. White players hoping for a quick mate lose time, while Black players who panic weaken the king for no reason when g6 does the job.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1.b3 a good opening for a club player?
Yes, provided you understand its plans instead of playing it mechanically. It is perfectly sound and avoids heavy theory, but it grants no automatic advantage: Black gets a comfortable centre with active play.
What is the difference between the Nimzo-Larsen Attack and playing 1.Nf3 followed by b3?
The idea is very close: in both cases White aims for Bb2 and long-range pressure on the centre. Starting with 1.b3 keeps maximum flexibility for the knights; starting with 1.Nf3 controls e5 straight away.
How should Black answer 1.b3?
The simplest and most reliable approach is to take the centre: 1...e5 and then d5, with Nc6 and Bd6 supporting e5. That gives you space and a clear plan, which is already a lot against a flank opening.
Why does White play f4 in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack?
Because e5 is the key square: the b2 bishop stares at it and f4 attacks the pawn directly. If Black trades or retreats, the long diagonal opens; the downside is that f4 loosens White’s king, so it needs a follow-up plan.
Results by rating level
Most-played lines (1600–1799 level)
- big pawn centred549%52% wins (White)
- knight development to f6Nf619%50% wins (White)
- bishop out to c5Bc511%53% wins (White)
- quiet ...d6 supportd68%50% wins (White)
- waiting move ...a6a64%48% wins (White)
- bishop pin on b4Bb42%53% wins (White)
The percentage shows the move’s popularity (share of games that play it). White’s score stays near 50% because all of these lines are sound — popularity is what sets them apart.
Reference games
Step through each game at your own pace with the arrows — it opens at the end of the opening.
Nakamura, Hi (2802) — Carlsen, M. (2831)Draw · 2024
One of the great modern rivalries: Hikaru Nakamura, five-time US champion and a speed-chess phenomenon, against Magnus Carlsen, world champion from 2013 to 2023 and holder of the all-time rating record (2882). Nakamura opens with the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1.b3), a humble-looking move picked precisely to pull Carlsen away from theory — a bold plan against the best player alive in open positions. These two have faced each other hundreds of times, online and over the board.
Analyse this game →Carlsen, M. (2859) — Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2713)White wins (resignation, time or agreement) · 2022
Magnus Carlsen, world champion for a decade, versus Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the Uzbek prodigy who stunned the chess world in late 2021 by winning the World Blitz Championship at 17 — beating Carlsen along the way. The Norwegian goes for 1.b3, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: minimal theory, maximum positional grind, precisely the terrain where Carlsen loves to wear opponents down. A generational collision.
Analyse this game →