ECO A01 · Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Nimzo-Larsen Attack

1. b3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

1… e5−0.28

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (A01), reached after 1. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.28).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.281… e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nge7 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 Nxd4 6. Bxd4
  2. −0.131… d5 2. Nf3 Bf5 3. e3 e6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3
  3. −0.081… Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Bf5 4. Ba3 e6 5. Bxf8 Kxf8 6. d4

All Nimzo-Larsen Attack variations (12)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack?
After 1. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black, continuing 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nge7 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 Nxd4 6. Bxd4. The position is roughly equal (−0.28). The next best moves are 1… d5 (−0.13) and 1… Nf6 (−0.08).
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.28: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack?
A01. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).