Opening Repertoire: The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack
Hi! Are you tired of playing the same opening (1.e4 or 1.d4) as White? Would you like to play something different and fun? Then maybe a Flank Opening like the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack (1.b3) is for you!
This is not a post on the theory of the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack. Instead I would summarize my thoughts as its practitioner. I’ve found it to be effective in my online speed chess games. Since it became my main choice as White I’ve scored a fair 55% wins.
I like the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack for several reasons:
-First, it fits my preference for hypermodern-style play (cfr. my post on the Modern Defense https://www.chess.com/blog/maafernan/opening-repertoire-the-modern-defense).
-It is an offbeat opening, with not much theory, so my oponents may keep guessing for a while
-After 2. Bb2, you get a queenside fianchetto, which is a setup shared by many openings you can transpose to like Reti, Bird, Zuckertort, and the Reversed color ones (Black defenses but with a tempo up as White) like: Reversed Nimzo, Bogo or Queen's Indian Defenses, Reversed Closed Catalan, Reversed Owen Defense, Reversed Sicilian Defense...and even the Reversed Hippo! So 1.b3 is a very flexible first move.
-Play can be calm and positional, or become rather sharp, depending on the variation you choose (the ones with the pawn push f4 are rather agressive but double-edged too!).
-Finally, it has been practiced by great players like Nimzowitsch and Larsen (hence their names are attached to the opening). The legendary Bobby Fischer also played it a few times with great success Carslen and Nakamura have also used it ocassionally in speed chess.
But be carefull! The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is a good enough opening but you cannot count on initiative. If Black plays correctly will not have problems equalizing. Most of the time you are playing a reversed opening a tempo up, not more than that. Then the wins come the hard way: you create the advantage or profit your opponent's mistakes, both more likely happen when you know your stuff and they are not so familiar with it. On the other hand it is relatively easy to get an inferior position if you don't know what you are doing -some theory is required in the end.
In my opinion the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is a nice option to be added to your speed chess repertoire, but only worth to advanced players that are up for a change as White. I would not recommend it for OTB chess as a main opening, but perhaps as a surprise weapon instead.
Good luck!
maafernan - chess coach
PS: If you would like to learn more about the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, other openings or improve your play in general, I would be happy to help! Please check my profile, and contact me anytime.
