Reti Opening Nimzo Larsen Variation

Réti Opening – Nimzo-Larsen Variation

Definition

The Réti Opening, Nimzo-Larsen Variation is a hyper-modern chess opening that begins with the moves:

  • 1. Nf3 (Réti Opening)
  • … (Black’s reply – most often 1…Nf6 or 1…d5)
  • 2. b3

White immediately fianchettoes the queenside bishop with Bb2, echoing the ideas of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1. b3) but reached via the flexible Réti move order 1. Nf3. Because of this transpositional path, ECO classifies the line under A06: “Réti Opening, Nimzo-Larsen Variation.”

How the Variation Is Used

The early knight development on g1–f3 keeps options open, while 2. b3 aims to:

  1. Fianchetto the bishop to b2, exerting long-diagonal pressure on e5 and g7.
  2. Avoid committing the c-pawn and central pawns too early, inviting Black to occupy the center so White can later undermine it with c4, d3–e4, or c2-c4 breaks.
  3. Create transpositional possibilities into the English, Catalan-type structures, or even Queen’s Indian–style positions.

Strategic Ideas

  • Hyper-modern central control. White often attacks the center with pieces first (Bb2, Nf3) and only later challenges with pawn thrusts such as d3–e4 or c2–c4.
  • Flexible pawn structure. Because neither d- nor c-pawns are fixed early, White can choose setups based on Black’s response:  – c2-c4 for English-type play
     – d3 & e4 for King’s Indian Attack-like structures
     – g2-g3 for a double fianchetto if the position calls for it.
  • Queenside space. b3–Bb2 can be combined with a later a2-a4 and Nc3 to seize space on the flank and discourage …c5–c4 breaks.
  • Endgame nuances. The long-range bishop on b2 often comes to life in simplified positions, so early queen trades don’t necessarily favor Black.

Typical Move Orders and Transpositions

Two of the most common branches arise after:

  1. 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3 d5 3. Bb2 e6 4. e3 Be7 5. c4   A Queen’s Gambit-style structure where the b2-bishop eyes g7 and e5.
  2. 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. Bb2 Nc6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bb5   The bishop pin mirrors Nimzo-Indian motifs, often leading to a slow maneuvering battle.

Historical Notes

The variation carries three legendary names:

  • Richard Réti pioneered 1. Nf3 as a universal first move during the hyper-modern revolution of the 1920s.
  • Aron Nimzowitsch frequently employed fianchetto systems and advocated control of the center by pieces, inspiring 1. b3 ideas.
  • Bent Larsen made 1. b3 fashionable in the 1960s–70s, defeating world-class opponents with it; his influence gave the “Larsen” label to any early b3-Bb2 setup.

By combining Réti’s first-move flexibility with Nimzowitsch-Larsen’s queenside fianchetto, this variation became a modern hybrid favored by many grandmasters seeking to sidestep mainstream theory.

Illustrative Example

[[Pgn| 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2 e6 4.e3 Be7 5.c4 O-O 6.Nc3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.d4 Nc6 9.Be2 | fen|| arrows|b2g7,d4d5|squares|e5]]

Position after 9.Be2: White’s pieces aim at the d5-square; the b2-bishop already restrains …e5, and White may follow with O-O, dxc5, Rc1, or even Na4-c5, depending on how Black continues.

Famous Games Featuring the Line

  • Fabiano Caruana – Viswanathan Anand, Tata Steel 2018  Caruana used 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3 to steer the former World Champion into a queenside fianchetto struggle, eventually securing a textbook central breakthrough with d4-d5.
  • Bent Larsen – Lajos Portisch, Candidates 1965 (play-off)  Although reached via 1.b3, the plans mirror the Réti move order. Larsen demonstrated the latent power of the b2-bishop in the endgame.
  • Levon Aronian – Ding Liren, Moscow Grand Prix 2019  Aronian chose 2.b3 to avoid Ding’s Petroff and uncorked a deep exchange sacrifice, showing the variation’s potential for creative play.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

  • Because White with 1.Nf3 can still transpose to almost any king-pawn, queen-pawn, or English Opening, Black players sometimes prepare more against what might come next than against 2.b3 itself.
  • Many online databases report the coded name “Reti Opening: King’s Indian Attack, Nimzo-Larsen Variation,” revealing how fluid the classification can be.
  • When asked why he loved 1.b3, Bent Larsen quipped, “The bishop belongs on b2; the pawns will discover their destiny later.” The Réti move order embraces that philosophy while hiding White’s intentions for one extra tempo.

Practical Tips for Both Sides

  • For White: Do not delay c4 or e4 forever; without pawn pressure Black can equalize comfortably. Be ready to meet …c5 with c4 or d4 ideas.
  • For Black: Challenge the center early with …c5 or …e5. If allowed, setting up a Maroczy bind-style clamp (…c5 & …d4 exchange) can take the sting out of Bb2.
  • Move-order traps: After 1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.Bb2 Nc6 4.e3 a6?! White can hit Black’s loose queenside with 5.c4! d4 6.exd4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 g2-g3 and achieve a pleasant isolated-pawn target.
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Last updated 2025-06-24