Chess opening · ECO A01
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
1.b3, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, prepares Bb2 at once. The bishop then stares down the long dark diagonal at e5 and g7, and White builds around it with e3, Nf3 and often c4. Unlike 1.b4, the b3 pawn is guarded by the a2 and c2 pawns, so White can take time over the center without a loose pawn to look after.
- Rank by weighted share
- #69 of 159
Key moves
1. b3
- 1. b3The one-square push clears b2 for the dark-squared bishop and keeps the pawn protected by a2 and c2. It also covers c4 and a4, a small gain that matters once White plays c4 later.
How Bb5 loosens Black's e5 pawn
After 1...e5 2.Bb2, the bishop attacks the e5 pawn and Black usually defends it with 2...Nc6. White then plays 3.e3 to open the f1 bishop. If Black pushes 3...d5, the move 4.Bb5 pins the c6 knight to the king, so that knight no longer truly guards e5.
Black often answers 4...Bd6, guarding e5 with a second piece and getting ready to castle.
The quieter replies
Against 1...d5 or 1...Nf6, the game is slower. White keeps the bishop on b2, adds Nf3 and e3, and fights for e5 and d4 with pieces before deciding where the c-pawn and d-pawn belong.
Pinning the c6 knight
1... e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 d5 4. Bb5 Bd6
White's b2 bishop hits e5 and the b5 bishop pins the c6 knight. Black holds e5 with the d6 bishop and has a broad center. White's next ideas include Nf3, f4 and a capture on c6 to weaken Black's pawns.
Top replies by rating
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | e5 47% | d5 19% | e6 10% |
| 1200–1399 | e5 48% | d5 22% | e6 8% |
| 1400–1599 | e5 41% | d5 25% | e6 9% |
| 1600–1799 | e5 39% | d5 26% | Nf6 8% |
| 1800–1999 | e5 36% | d5 26% | Nf6 13% |
| 2000 and up | e5 39% | d5 26% | Nf6 16% |
Questions
How is 1.b3 different from 1.b4?
Both moves prepare Bb2. On b3 the pawn is guarded by the a2 and c2 pawns, while on b4 it takes more space but has no pawn support and can be traded off early.
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.