Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Polish Variation

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Polish Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code A01, part of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack family. It goes 1. b3 b5. White opens with 1. b3 (the Nimzo-Larsen move) and Black answers 1... b5. After 2 moves it is White 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. b3 – White plays the pawn to b3
• 1... b5 – Black plays the pawn to b5

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: Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1. b3)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Pachman Gambit (1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. f4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Ringelbach Gambit (1. b3 f5 2. Bb2 e6 3. e4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation (1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. c4 Nf6)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation (1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation (1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3)
• Related line: Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation (1. b3 b6)

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