Beyond 1.e4 and 1.d4: The case to play 1.b3 in modern chess
EDITOR's NOTE: Starting today, we present Chess 101, a series on helping strengthen chess fundamentals with breakdowns from Shivika Rohilla, a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi, who is also the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA).
After the standard 1.e4 and 1.d4 openings, one of White's most respectable options is 1.b3, often known as the Nimzowitsch-Larsen opening. Dutch player Maarten van't Kruijs used 1.b3 in a serious game for the first time in history in 1851. Aron Nimzowitsch, a Latvian-Danish grandmaster, experimented with 1.b3 in the 1920s and 1930s, frequently transposing it into positions that resembled the Nimzo-Indian Defense. The opening gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s thanks to Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen. Between 1968 and 1972, he played it a lot, most notably at the Monte Carlo tournament in 1968. Even after suffering a crushing defeat against Boris Spassky in 1970, Larsen could use the opening in later matches successfully. In certain instances, even Robert James Fischer (Bobby Fischer) used 1.b3.
Black's most popular reply these days is 1…e5, although 1..d5 is not bad as well. The following moves are usually seen on the board in 1.b3 — 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bb5
The hypermodern strategy, which allows for variable pawn structures and piece development by indirectly controlling the center, is reflected in the opening. Given its relative rarity, it can be used as a valuable surprise weapon to take opponents by surprise and move the game into an untapped region. In recent times, it has been used by Magnus Carslen, the reigning world number 1, Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi and Adhibhan Bhaskaran, among many more.
One of the most popular games played in the variation is Aron Nimzowitsch vs Rudolf Spielmann (New York, 1927). This position arose after about 11 moves.
White enjoyed a slight edge here and later went on to dominate the kingside and the game subsequently.
Whether used as a primary weapon or a surprise strategy, the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack remains a timeless choice for players seeking creativity, flexibility, and control from the very first move!
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