Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code A06, part of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack family. It goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3. White opens with 1. Nf3 (the Zukertort/Réti knight move) and Black answers 1... d5. After 3 moves it is Black to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
• 1... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
• 2. b3 – White plays the pawn to b3

About the Nimzo-Larsen Attack

White starts with 1.b3 and Bb2, controlling e5 and the long diagonal from afar. It is an offbeat but respectable flank opening.

• The Bb2 bishop pressures e5 and g7.
• White adds e3, Nf3 and sometimes f4 to control e5.
• Black often takes the centre with ...e5 and ...d5; White attacks it later.

Related openings

• It extends: Zukertort Opening (1. Nf3 d5)
• Continues with: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit – adds 2... c5 3. e4
• Continues with: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit – adds 2... Nf6 3. Bb2 c5 4. e4
• Continues with: Zukertort Opening: Regina-Nu Gambit – adds 2... c5 3. c4 dxc4 4. Nc3
• Continues with: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bled Variation – adds 2... Nf6 3. Bb2 g6 4. c4
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation (1. b3 b6)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit (1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation (1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Norfolk Gambit (1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 c5 4. e4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Ringelbach Gambit (1. b3 f5 2. Bb2 e6 3. e4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Polish Variation (1. b3 b5)

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