Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack (1.b3)
Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack
Definition
The Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack is a flank opening for White defined by the move 1.b3. By fianchettoing the queen’s bishop to b2 on the very next move, White aims to exert long-range pressure on the central dark squares—particularly e5 and d4—while maintaining a flexible pawn structure. The ECO classification is A01.
Typical Move Order
The canonical sequence is:
- 1.b3 … e5
- 2.Bb2 … Nc6
- 3.e3 … d5
- 4.Bb5 (pinning the knight and preparing to strike in the center)
Yet, the opening is extremely transpositional—after 1.b3 Black can choose 1…d5, 1…Nf6, 1…c5, or even 1…g6, each steering the game toward different strategic landscapes.
Strategic Ideas
- Flank Control of the Center: White lets Black occupy central squares early, intending to undermine them later with pawn breaks such as c4, d4, or f4.
- Dynamic Bishop on the Long Diagonal: The bishop on b2 eyes g7 and e5, discouraging Black from careless pawn advances.
- Flexible Development: Because White has not committed the d- or g-pawn, the setup can transpose into the English Opening, Queen’s Indian structures (but with colors reversed), or even a Catalan-like position.
- Psychological Weapon: The rarity of 1.b3 at the top level means many opponents are taken out of mainstream opening theory as early as move one.
Historical Development
Aron Nimzowitsch experimented with 1.b3 in the 1920s, viewing it as an embodiment of his hyper-modern principles: control the center with pieces, then attack it. Decades later, Danish Grandmaster Bent Larsen adopted the line as a mainstay, scoring impressive victories in the 1960s and early 1970s, hence the double-barreled name.
Although 1.b3 never became a staple of world-championship preparation, it has been used as a surprise weapon by luminaries such as Bobby Fischer (Buenos Aires, 1970), Viswanathan Anand (Wijk aan Zee, 1998), and Magnus Carlsen (London, 2017).
Illustrative Example
The following miniature highlights common Nimzowitsch–Larsen themes:
White sacrifices material to open lines for the bishops; Black’s loose king and weakened dark squares eventually prove decisive.
Famous Games Featuring 1.b3
- Larsen vs. Spassky, Santa Monica 1966: Larsen’s pioneering win over the former World Champion showcased the latent attacking power of the b2 bishop after a timely d4 break.
- Fischer vs. Myagmarsuren, Siegen Olympiad 1970: Fischer unveiled 1.b3 as a novelty, obtaining a smooth positional squeeze and endgame victory.
- Carlsen vs. Caruana, London 2017: In rapid play, the World Champion used 1.b3 to sidestep Caruana’s preparation and clinched a clean technical win.
Pros and Cons
- Pros
- Removes opponents from book knowledge immediately.
- Leads to rich, unbalanced middlegames with many tactical motifs.
- Highly flexible; can transpose into multiple openings.
- Cons
- If Black occupies the center efficiently, White may struggle for space.
- The b2 bishop can become “biting on granite” if the e5-d4-c3 squares are locked.
- Requires good understanding of plans rather than rote memorization.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Bent Larsen once quipped, “I like 1.b3 because it puts the bishop on the best square on move two; some people spend ten moves trying to do that.”
- During the 1970 Palma de Mallorca Interzonal, Larsen employed 1.b3 five times, scoring +3-1=1.
- Engines such as Stockfish initially give Black a tiny theoretical edge ( about −0.15) after 1.b3, but practical results are almost perfectly balanced at master level.
When to Add the Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack to Your Repertoire
Choose 1.b3 if you are:
- An established 1.e4 or 1.d4 player looking for a surprise sideline in weekend tournaments.
- A fan of hyper-modern, piece-centric play who enjoys maneuvering before striking.
- Comfortable facing a broad set of pawn structures and willing to study plans more than concrete lines.
Common Transpositions
Because the opening is so flexible, it can shift into:
- English Opening: 1.b3 c5 2.c4.
- Queen’s Indian–style: 1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4.
- Réti Systems: 1.b3 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7.
Conclusion
The Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack remains a vibrant, strategically rich choice for players who favor flexibility and long-range piece play over early central occupation. While not omnipresent at the top level, it continuously delivers surprise value and instructive middlegame themes—a fitting tribute to the creative spirits of Aron Nimzowitsch and Bent Larsen.