Shoving,
I have played both these systems ... often at the same time. They certainly take most players out of book, at least at the lower ratings level. Both systems rely, in my estimation, upon playing for color complex dominance. They have both been played by strong players, but certainly don't comprise the main repertoire of any of the 2700+ players. Still, they work on ideas and ideas are sometimes easier to remember than lines (my reason for playing them).
As for the 1b3 line mentioned above, there's a stem game in Nimzo-Larsen Attack by Jacobs and Tait: Arencibia-Estremera Panos (Malaga 2000), certainly not some household names. However, within the stem game are references to several other games, with Ian Rogers and Alexander Morozevich playing the White pieces in two of them. The stem game ends in a draw, which I'm guessing is the best White can really expect from the opening unless Black makes either a strategic or tactical error of some sort.
Jacobs and Tait suggest that after 5.Ne2 a6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3 O-O 8.Nd2 Qe7 9.h3, though White has no advantage, "his position is rather pleasurable: a slightly better pawn structure and a multitude of options for the central pawns and both knights." They add, "Perhaps White will play e3-e4, O-O, f2-f4, or Ng3/Nc4-e3 probing the light squares, perhaps throw in a2-a3 to forestall ... Ba3."
Good luck with the opening(s).
Hi! Is there anyone out there who likes to discuss any lines featuring 1.b3 or 1...b6 against almost any first move by White?
As a b3/6 fan myself, a couple of lines which have caused great interest to me are 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bd6!? and 1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.f3, usually because I find them hard to beat! But of course, these aren't the only lines I've been looking at, as there are many ways to meet these openings with little risk of falling behind.
All views and any games you wish to provide are welcome