Chess Opening Theory/1. b3

Larsen's Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1. b3
ECO code: A01
Parent: Starting position

1. b3 · Larsen Attack

Also known as Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack or just Queen's Fianchetto Opening, it is named after Aron Nimzowitsch and Bent Larsen.

1.b3 prepares to fianchetto the queen's bishop to b2, where it will fight for the central squares and point towards Black's kingside.

This is an example of a hypermodern opening, as it prepares to control the center with a bishop rather than a pawn (the classical style). Black can accept the invitation to cover the center with pawns (following classical principles) or fianchetto their own bishop.

Black's responses

• 1... e5 (Modern Variation) - This move is the most common, as it not only grabs the center but also limits the scope of the white bishop after 2. Bb2 Nc6.

• 1... d5 (Classical Variation) - Another common response, as it also grabs the center. This also preserves the option to fianchetto the black bishop to g7 to oppose the white one. White can play 2. Bb2 or 2. Nf3.

• 1...Nf6 (Indian Variation) - Prepares to fianchetto the bishop to g7 immediately to oppose the white bishop on b2. However, if Black does play g6 after 2. Bb2, White can play 3. e4!, threatening to kick the knight on f6. 3... Nxe4?? loses to 4. Bxh8.

• 1... c5 (English Variation) - Retains option of 1... d5 while also being a good transpositional tool. 2. e4 transposes into the Sicilian Defense, and 2. c4 transposes into the Symmetrical English. 2. Nf3 is also playable.

• 1... f5 (Dutch Variation) - This is a rather unexplored alternative. 2. d4 and 2. Nf3 are most commonly played after this, though 2. e3 and even 2. e4!? (borrowing ideas from the Staunton Gambit) are both possible.

• 1... e6 - Sets up a variation of the French Defense. 2. e4 d5 3. Bb2 is the most common and recommended line.

• 1... c6 - Sets up a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. 2. e4 d5 3. Bb2 is the most common and recommended line.

• 1... Nc6 - Supports the advance of the e-pawn but allows 2. d4, pressuring the knight.

• 1... b6 (Symmetrical Variation) - Black copies White's idea. This is perfectly fine for Black.

• 1...b5!? (Polish Variation) - A fun alternative to the other moves. Transpositions are now impossible.

• 1...a5?! - Somewhat playable, trying to ruin White's fianchetto, but seeing that White will likely castle on the kingside, this is not that useful.

Statistics

Estimated next move popularity

e5 43%, d5 27%, Nf6 15%, c5 6%, b5 2%.

Theory table

1.b3

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Classical Variation	... d5	Bb2 c5	e3 Nc6	Bb5 Qc7	f4 a6	Bxc6 Qxc6	Nf3 Nf6	O-O g6	=
Modern Variation	... e5	Bb2 Nc6	e3 Nf6	Bb5 Bd6	Ne2 a6	Bxc6 dxc6	d3 O-O	c4 Be6	=
Indian Variation	... Nf6	Bb2 -
English Variation	... c5
Dutch Variation	... f5	Nf3 -
Symmetrical Variation	... b6
Polish Variation	... b5
The Scientist's Method	... e5	Bb2 Nc6	d4 -

All possible Black's moves

Quick Navigation

Na6 a6 a5

b6 b5

Nc6 c6 c5

d6 d5

e6 e5

Nf6 f6 f5

g6 g5

Nh6 h6 h5

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings (Second Edition ed.). Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.

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