ECO A01 · Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation

1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4

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

3… h6−0.42

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation (A01), reached after 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… h6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.42).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.423… h6 4. h3 d5 5. e3 c5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Bg2 d4 8. Ne5
  2. −0.163… Bg7 4. g5 Nh5 5. Bxg7 Nxg7 6. d4 c6 7. Qd2 a5 8. Nc3
  3. +0.133… Bh6 4. h4 Bg7 5. g5 Nh5 6. Bxg7 Nxg7 7. d4 d5 8. Qd2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation?
After 1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… h6 for Black, continuing 4. h3 d5 5. e3 c5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Bg2 d4 8. Ne5. Black is slightly better (−0.42). The next best moves are 3… Bg7 (−0.16) and 3… Bh6 (+0.13).
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Spike Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.42: black is slightly better. 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: Spike 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+).