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- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
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- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
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Nimzo-Larsen Attack
The bishop looks over the pawn
- Fianchetto
- Hypermodern
White starts with b3 and puts the bishop on b2. Instead of occupying the centre with pawns, White lets Black build one and then undermines it. It is a hypermodern idea: the bishop on the long diagonal presses on the centre and on Black's kingside. Theory calls many of the lines equal, but White is easy to play and Black often lacks experience against it.
4.Bb5
Moves
(7 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
1.b3 — the bishop gets ready for b2
The move that opens the long diagonal for the bishop
The b3 pawn clears b2. A bishop there hits e5, g7 and the whole diagonal towards Black's kingside. White does not occupy the centre yet, but keeps it under control from a distance.
Tabiya
Bb5 against the e5 pawn
Black has pawns on e5 and d5. White does not interfere, but brings the bishop to b5 and aims at the c6 knight, which guards e5. White needs to break up this centre; Black needs to hold it and finish development without losses.
White’s plan
- Put the bishop on b2 and keep the long diagonal open.
- Undermine Black's pawn centre, for example with Bb5 and f4.
- Pick a structure as the game goes: challenge d5 with c4, or go for a double fianchetto.
Black’s plan
- Occupy the centre with pawns on e5 and d5.
- Develop the pieces and defend e5 without weakening anything.
- Use the extra time while White builds from a distance.
History
The name joins Aron Nimzowitsch and Bent Larsen. Nimzowitsch often played b3 after 1.Nf3, while Larsen took up 1.b3 from 1968.
Legends who played it
Aaron Nimzovichas White · Named after the player
Bent Larsenas White · Named after the player
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet
Lines below
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation2 lines
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Graz Attack
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation4 lines
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Pachman Gambit
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Polish Variation
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Ringelbach Gambit
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation
- A01Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation
- A06Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit2 lines