ECO A01 · Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation

1. b3 b6

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

2. e4+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation (A01), reached after 1. b3 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.332. e4 e6 3. Bb2 c5 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nf6
  2. +0.242. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O c5 6. c4 Bb7
  3. +0.222. Bb2 Bb7 3. Nf3 e6 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. c4 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation?
After 1. b3 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing e6 3. Bb2 c5 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 2. Nf3 (+0.24) and 2. Bb2 (+0.22).
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: white 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: Symmetrical 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+).