Chess Opening Theory/1. b3

Larsen's Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1. b3
ECO code: A01
Parent: Starting position

1. b3 · Larsen Attack

1. b3 prepares to fianchetto the queen's bishop to b2, where it will fight for the central squares and point towards Black's kingside. This is a hypermodern opening, preparing to control the centre from afar with a bishop rather than a central pawn (the classical style). This allows Black to seize the centre with a pawn themselves, which they usually choose to do with either 1...e5 or 1...d5. 1...Nf6 is also common.

Also known as Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack or just Queen's Fianchetto Opening, it is named after its pioneers Aron Nimzowitsch and Bent Larsen. Nimzowitsch preferred an alternate move order, 1. Nf3, and only after 1...d5 committing to 2. b3. This has the advantage of preventing 1...e5 and thereby avoiding the Modern Variation.

1...e5, the Modern Variation, is Black's most ambitious and common response to 1. b3, occurring in about 45% of games. Black usually limits the scope of White's bishop and gets a big centre with both d and e pawns after 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 d5.

1...d5, the Classical variation, is a common sideline (27%). It preserves the option to fianchetto the black bishop to g7 to oppose the white one. White can play 2. Bb2 or 2. Nf3.

1...Nf6, the Indian variation, prepares to fianchetto the bishop to g7 immediately to oppose the white bishop on b2. However, if Black does play g6 after 2. Bb2, White can play 3. e4!, threatening to kick the knight on f6. 3... Nxe4?? loses to 4. Bxh8. It is an interesting second sideline (15%).

Minor sidelines

• 1...c5 (English Variation): Retains option of 1... d5 while also being a good transpositional tool. 2. e4 transposes into the Sicilian Defense, and 2. c4 transposes into the Symmetrical English. 2. Nf3 is also playable. Occurs about 5% of games.

• 1...b6 (Symmetrical Variation): Black copies White's idea. This is perfectly fine for Black. Occurs about 2% of games.

• 1...g6: Accounts for another 2% of games. Black prepares to fianchetto to g7, though after 2. Bb2 Black must play 2...Nf6 first and this transposes to the Indian variation.

There are a number of other "also-ran" sidelines possible that together make up about 5% of competitive level games, including:

• 1...f5 (Dutch Variation): This is a rather unexplored alternative. 2. d4 and 2. Nf3 are most commonly played after this, though 2. e3 and even 2. e4!? (borrowing ideas from the Staunton Gambit) are both possible.

• 1...e6: Sets up a variation of the French Defense. 2. e4 d5 3. Bb2 is the most common and recommended line.

• 1...c6: Sets up a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. 2. e4 d5 3. Bb2 is the most common and recommended line.

• 1...Nc6: Supports the advance of the e-pawn but allows 2. d4, pressuring the knight.

• 1...b5!? (Polish Variation): A fun alternative to the other moves. Transpositions are now impossible.

• 1...a5?!: Somewhat playable, trying to ruin White's fianchetto, but seeing that White will likely castle on the kingside, this is not that useful.

Theory table

1.b3

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Classical Variation	... d5	Bb2 c5	e3 Nc6	Bb5 Qc7	f4 a6	Bxc6 Qxc6	Nf3 Nf6	O-O g6	=
Modern Variation	... e5	Bb2 Nc6	e3 Nf6	Bb5 Bd6	Ne2 a6	Bxc6 dxc6	d3 O-O	c4 Be6	=
Indian Variation	... Nf6	Bb2 -
English Variation	... c5
Dutch Variation	... f5	Nf3 -
Symmetrical Variation	... b6
Polish Variation	... b5
The Scientist's Method	... e5	Bb2 Nc6	d4 -

All possible Black's moves

Quick Navigation

Na6 a6 a5

b6 b5

Nc6 c6 c5

d6 d5

e6 e5

Nf6 f6 f5

g6 g5

Nh6 h6 h5

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings (2nd ed.). Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9.
• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.

• Jacobs, Byron; Tait, Jonathan (2001). Nimzo-Larsen attack (1st ed.). London: Everyman Publishers plc. ISBN 1 85744 286 5.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.