Nimzowitsch-Larsen: Indian Variation

Nimzowitsch-Larsen: Indian Variation

Definition

The Indian Variation of the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening arises after the moves 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6. White’s first move fianchettoes the queen’s bishop on the a1–h8 diagonal, while Black replies in “Indian” fashion—first developing the king’s knight to f6 and then fianchettoing the king’s bishop with …g6 and …Bg7. The structure and piece placement resemble a King’s Indian Defence with colors reversed, giving the variation its name.

Typical Move Order

A common sequence runs:

1. 1. b3 Nf6
2. 2. Bb2 g6
3. 3. e4 Bg7
4. 4. e5 Nd5
5. 5. d4 d6
6. 6. Nf3 O-O

After 3.e4, White seizes central space, counting on the long bishop to support the pawn chain; Black keeps the position flexible and prepares …c5 or …e5 breaks.

Strategic Themes

• Reversed King’s Indian Attack: White enjoys an extra tempo, yet the plans for both sides mirror traditional KID ideas—pawn storms, central breaks, and piece play on the long diagonals.
• Control of the long diagonals: The fianchettoed bishops (Bb2 and Bg7) glare at each other, so minor-piece trades or pawn thrusts (e4-e5, …c5) often determine which diagonal becomes dominant.
• Central tension: White’s pawn duo e4–d4 can advance to e5 and d5 to gain space, while Black counters with …c5 or …e5 to undermine the center.
• K-side versus Q-side play: Black can launch a classic King’s Indian pawn storm with …f5, …f4, whereas White may expand on the queenside with a4, c4, or even b4–b5.

Plans for White

• Occupy the center with e4, d4, and sometimes f4, creating a space advantage.
• Push e4-e5 to gain terrain and drive the knight from f6, opening the a1–h8 diagonal for Bb2.
• Delay castling to keep options open—queenside castling can support a rapid g-pawn advance, while kingside castling is safer but may cede initiative.
• Utilize the extra tempo (compared to a normal KID) to combine central and queenside pressure before Black’s counterplay matures.

Plans for Black

• Strike at the white center with timely …c5 or …e5 breaks.
• Adopt typical KID plans—…f5 followed by …f4 to attack the white king if it castles kingside.
• Exchange the g7-bishop for Bb2 when favorable, neutralizing White’s key piece.
• Exploit the weakened light squares (e5, c3) that arise after White advances pawns too far.

Historical & Theoretical Notes

• The line carries the fingerprints of two creative giants: Aron Nimzowitsch, who pioneered 1.b3 in the 1920s, and Bent Larsen, whose successes in the 1960s—including wins against Keres, Portisch, and even World Champion Spassky—popularized the opening.
• Modern engines give the position a roughly equal evaluation, rewarding the richness of middlegame play over concrete forcing lines.
• The Indian Variation surged in popularity when Larsen defeated grandmasters who were unprepared for the reversed KID structures; today it serves as a valuable surprise weapon at every level.

Illustrative Game

Bent Larsen – Lubomir Kavalek, Skopje Olympiad 1972.
Larsen demonstrates the power of the central pawn wedge and long-diagonal pressure:

White’s extra space and well-placed pieces eventually converted into a winning endgame after 40 moves.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Bent Larsen jokingly called 1.b3 “my secret weapon”—though by 1970 it was hardly secret, as he had already beaten world-class opponents with it.
• Because both bishops are fianchettoed so early, some club players (incorrectly) nickname the position “Double Dragon.” In reality, the term is more commonly associated with Sicilian Dragon positions where both sides fianchetto kingside.
• The extra tempo means theoretical endgame tables of the King’s Indian often favor White when the same pawn structures appear via the Indian Variation.

Sample Repertoire Line (Engine Approved)

A concise, modern plan recommended by engines:

1. 1.b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.e4 Bg7 4.e5 Nd5
2. 5.d4 d6 6.Nf3 O-O 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.h3 dxe5
3. 9.dxe5 Bf5 10.a3! – keeping the bishop, preparing g4, and retaining a solid plus.

When to Choose the Indian Variation

• You enjoy unbalanced middlegames with fianchettoed bishops dueling on long diagonals.
• You’d like to steer the opponent into a reversed King’s Indian, avoiding mainstream 1.e4 or 1.d4 theory.
• Surprise value is important; many players meet 1.b3 with …e5 or …d5, so a committed KID setup can catch them on unfamiliar ground.