Chess Opening Theory/1. b3/1...Nf6

Nimzovich-Larsen Attack
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. b3 Nf6

Nimzovich-Larsen Attack edit

1...Nf6 edit

In this response, black develops a piece without committing to a pawn opening.

White normally completes the fianchetto through 2. Bb2, and black sets up the same pattern by attempting 2...g6 (where the knight shields the pawn.) White may then send out the kings knight with 3.Nf3, or claim the center with 3.e4 (with the knight being pinned).

Less common is 2.Nf3, which lets black setup a fianchetto of his own.

Statistics edit

FICS Games Database shows the most common responses for white are Bb2 (64%), Nf3 (23%) and e3 (8%).

Theory table edit

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

1.b3 Nf6
2 3
Indian Variation Bb2
g6
Nf3
Bg7
- Bb2
g6
e4
d6
- Bb2
e6
- Bb2
d6
- Nf3
g6

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