Chess Opening Theory/1. b3

Larsen's Opening
	Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR
	Moves: 1. b3
	ECO code: A01
	Parent: Starting position

1. b3 - Larsen's Opening

Also known as Nimzovich-Larsen Attack or just Queen's Fianchetto Opening.

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

This is an example of a hypermodern opening, as it controls the center with a Bishop, rather than a pawn (the classical style was with pawns). Black can accept the invitation to cover the center with pawns (follow classical principles), or fianchetto his 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 of g7 to oppose the white one. White can play 2. Bb2 or 2. Nf3.

1...Nf6 (Indian Variation) - Prepares to fianchetto the bishop on 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?? is not possible there, simply because of 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 still 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

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

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

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References

Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings (Second Edition ed.). Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9.

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.

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