The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is an original flank opening: 1.b3. White fianchettoes the bishop on b2 at once, aiming it down the long diagonal at the centre and Black's kingside. The main branches are gathered here: the main system with 1...e5, the 1...d5 variation and the double fianchetto. At each branching point, choose which line to play.
The dimmed moves are the rest of the main line, and the dots mark branching points. Click any move to jump to that position.
The thin arrow on the board shows the next move.
You can also play the move on the board: pick the piece up and put it on the square.
The starting position. Choose your moves - at a branching point several continuations are available.
The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack begins with 1.b3 - White fianchettoes the bishop on b2 immediately. From the a1-h8 diagonal that bishop presses on the centre and on Black's kingside, above all on e5 and g7.
The main idea is hypermodern: instead of occupying the centre with pawns, White controls it with a long-range bishop and adapts flexibly to the opponent. The opening is valued for its individuality and for taking the game off the theoretical rails.
The name links two great players: Aron Nimzowitsch, one of the fathers of hypermodernism, developed the idea of 1.b3, and the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen brought it back to the top level in the 1960s and 70s.
The most critical reply is 1...e5: Black boldly takes the centre and argues with the b2 bishop head-on. White immediately starts pressing on the e5 pawn with e3, Bb5 and Nf3 - the opening's main line, with lively piece play.
The solid 1...d5 leads to quiet positional play, while 1...Nf6 followed by ...g6 leads to a double fianchetto in which both bishops press on the centre from the wings in an unhurried manoeuvring game.
The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, 1.b3, gives up the pawn fight for the centre in favour of a diagonal. The bishop goes straight to b2 and starts pressing on e5 and the whole long diagonal, while the pawns stay flexible.
The typical formation: b3, Bb2, e3, Nf3, Be2 or Bd3, 0-0, and only then c4 or d4, depending on what Black has built. The point is that White plays according to the opponent's position rather than by memorised lines.
The strength is that the opponent has no theory at all. The weakness is that if Black competently takes the centre with pawns on e5 and d5, the b2 bishop runs into a wall. So a break is needed at the right moment: c4, f4 or d4.
The simplest and best recipe is to take the centre. After 1...e5 the b2 bishop runs straight into a pawn, and White must either take it with a knight, losing time, or put up with a passive piece. Then ...Nc6, ...d5, ...Nf6 - and the centre is under control.
The second route is 1...d5 with ...Nf6, ...e6 and ...c5: a solid classical structure against which White's flank play achieves nothing.
The general principle against every flank opening: answer by taking the centre. If Black owns the centre and White's bishop stares into the opponent's pawn chain, the opening problem is solved.
The typical set-ups this opening leads to - learn them, and the plan follows by itself.
The b2 bishop presses down the long diagonal at the e5 pawn, and White strikes at it with f4. Black has taken the centre and stands solidly - exactly how to play against flank openings.
These are the main named variations. Click any one of them and it loads straight onto the board above, where you can play it out move by move. The trainer itself holds more lines than this: it also covers main-line continuations and transpositions that have no name of their own.
What to avoid, and what catches an unprepared opponent.
The bishop on b2 rakes the whole board. If Black fianchettoes his own bishop and then trades it off, the squares around his king become vulnerable.
The opening works as a surprise, but against a prepared opponent you need a concrete plan: without the f4 or e4 break, White simply has no game.
Traps in other openings - the 12 most common opening traps.
To get the bishop to b2 as quickly as possible, where it presses down the long diagonal at the centre and Black's kingside. It is the hypermodern idea: control the centre with a long-range piece rather than occupying it with pawns, and stay flexible.
The opening is named after two players: Aron Nimzowitsch, one of the founders of hypermodernism, developed the idea of an early 1.b3 and the b2 fianchetto, and the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen brought it into top-level practice in the 1960s and 70s.
Yes, it is a perfectly sound opening, if uncommon at the top level. It leads to distinctive, little-explored play in which understanding matters more than memorised lines. Many strong players use it as a surprise to knock opponents out of their preparation.
To lovers of original positional chess and anyone who wants to avoid the theoretical disputes of the main openings. 1.b3 is easy to pick up (the main idea is the bishop on b2 and pressure down the diagonal) and it takes the game onto ground the opponent is unused to.
Want the tactics that decide these positions? Start with the 12 most common opening traps and tactics for beginners. If you are just starting out, read the rules of chess and how to set up the board.
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