Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation
Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, Indian Variation
Definition
The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, Indian Variation, is a branch of the flank opening that starts with 1. b3 and proceeds with …Nf6 by Black. The most common move order is:
1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2
Black’s early knight development (…Nf6) gives the position a flavour reminiscent of the various “Indian” defences to 1. d4. Hence the name “Indian Variation.” The opening falls under ECO code A01.
Typical Move Orders
- 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. e5 — a double-fianchetto set-up for Black.
- 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e3 Bb7 5. c4 — transposes to Hedgehog-style structures.
- 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. e3 e6 5. c4 — Black chooses a Queen’s-Indian set-up.
Strategic Ideas
• White: Places the light-squared bishop on the long a1–h8 diagonal
early, aiming at e5, d4, or sometimes b7. By delaying central
occupation, White hopes to provoke premature central commitments from
Black and later strike with c4, d4 or e4–e5.
• Black: Because …Nf6 discourages e4–e5 in a single tempo,
Black often adopts a King’s-Indian or Queen’s-Indian shell, contesting
the centre with …d5 or …e5 and using the fianchettoed bishop to blunt
White’s b2-bishop. Flexibility is the key; many set-ups transpose to
more mainstream Indian defences.
Historical Notes
The opening bears the names of Aron Nimzowitsch and the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen. Nimzowitsch experimented with 1. b3 as early as 1911, but it was Larsen who popularised it in top-level play during the 1960s and 1970s, scoring notable wins against World Champions Spassky (Belgrade 1970) and Petrosian (São Paulo 1971). The “Indian Variation” tag entered opening encyclopedias in the 1980s to distinguish Black’s …Nf6 set-ups from the more classical 1…e5 lines (also called the “Modern Variation”).
Illustrative Mini-Game
[[Pgn| b3|Nf6|Bb2|g6|e4|Bg7|e5|Nd5|c4|Nb6|d4|d6|exd6|cxd6|Nf3|0-0|Be2|Nc6|0-0|d5|Nc3|Bg4|c5|Nc8|h3|Bxf3|Bxf3|e6|Ne2|N8e7|Qd2|Nf5|Rfd1|Nh4|Qf4|Nxf3+|Qxf3|b6|Rac1|bxc5|Rxc5|Qd7|Rdc1|Rfc8|Qc3|Ne7 |arrows|b2g7,d4d6|squares|e5 ]]White’s 4. e5 grabs space; notice how the “Indian” manoeuvre …Nd5–b6 mirrors the King’s-Indian main lines. The game soon transforms into a Closed Catalan-like struggle.
Practical Tips
- After 1. b3 Nf6, decide quickly whether you want an early e2–e4 (aggressive) or c2–c4/d2–d4 (positional). Mixing the plans can backfire.
- The move 3. e4 is sharp but leaves the d4-square weak; make sure you can support an e5 push or recover the pawn on e4 if it is exchanged.
- If Black chooses a solid Queen’s-Indian structure with …b6 and …Bb7, consider rerouting your queen’s knight via c3–e2–f4 to increase kingside pressure.
Famous Encounters
- Larsen – Spassky, Belgrade 1970: 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. e5 Nd5 5. Qf3! A daring queen foray that ultimately netted Larsen the full point and kept his tournament hopes alive.
- Giri – Carlsen, Tata Steel 2011: The World Champion neutralised the Indian Variation by quick central breaks …d5 and …c5, illustrating modern defensive techniques.
Interesting Facts
- Because 1. b3 bears ECO code A01, some blitz players call the line
“Area 01,” joking that it is
where theoretical databases go to disappear.
- GM Ulf Andersson once defeated Karpov in a simultaneous exhibition using the Indian Variation, prompting Karpov to explore 1. b3 himself in casual games.
- The opening is popular in Chess960 because the early fianchetto often dovetails with random starting arrangements.