Chess Opening Theory/1. b3/1...Nf6

Nimzovich-Larsen Attack
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) rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/8/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. b3 Nf6

Nimzovich-Larsen Attack

1...Nf6

In this response, black develops a piece without committing to a pawn opening.

White normally completes the fianchetto through 2. Bb2, and black sets up the same pattern by attempting 2...g6 (where the knight shields the pawn.) White may then send out the kings knight with 3.Nf3, or claim the center with 3.e4 (with the knight being pinned).

Less common is 2.Nf3, which lets black setup a fianchetto of his own.

Statistics

FICS Games Database shows the most common responses for white are Bb2 (64%), Nf3 (23%) and e3 (8%).

Theory table

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

1.b3 Nf6
	2	3
Indian Variation	Bb2 g6	Nf3 Bg7
-	Bb2 g6	e4 d6
-	Bb2 e6
-	Bb2 d6
-	Nf3 g6