ECO A01 · Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation

1. b3 c5

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

2. e3+0.07

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

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation (A01), reached after 1. b3 c5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.07).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.072. e3 Nc6 3. Bb2 Nf6 4. Nf3 g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7
  2. +0.052. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Nc3 d6 6. d4 Bg7
  3. +0.042. e4 Nc6 3. Bb2 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 g6 6. d4 cxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation?
After 1. b3 c5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e3 for White, continuing Nc6 3. Bb2 Nf6 4. Nf3 g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7. The position is roughly equal (+0.07). The next best moves are 2. Bb2 (+0.05) and 2. e4 (+0.04).
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.07: 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: English Variation?
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+).