1.b3. White fianchettoes the queen's bishop at once to control e5 and the long diagonal, keeping the centre pawns flexible for later.
Watch it in 3D
3D lesson · 8 steps · 40 seconds
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack in 3D
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation, move by move: b3 e5 Bb2 Nc6 c4 Nf6
Preparing your opening…
Key ideas
The bishop on b2 is the key piece. White follows with e3, Nf3 and either c4 or f4, aiming for a reversed Queen's Indian or a Bird-like setup.
1...e5 (the Modern Variation) is Black's most direct answer, building a classical centre. After 2.Bb2 Nc6, White pressures e5 with 3.e3, Bb5 and Nf3, or plays 3.c4 for an English with the bishop already on b2.
Against 1...d5 (the Classical Variation) or 1...Nf6 (the Indian Variation), White usually adds Nf3, e3 and c4, reaching positions close to the Réti or a Queen's Indian with colours reversed.
Plans for White
Pressure e5 and the long diagonal with Bb2, Nf3 and e3, and choose the c4 or f4 break depending on Black's setup. Bb5, pinning a knight on c6, adds to the pressure on e5.
Plans for Black
Occupy the centre with ...e5 and ...d5, or blunt the b2 bishop with ...d5, ...Nf6 and ...e6. Keeping e5 well protected takes much of the sting out of White's play.
Puzzles from the Nimzo-Larsen Attack
Tactics that came up in real games played with this opening, from easiest to hardest.
