Excerpt from the introduction to
"Nimzo-Larsen attack"
by Jacobs and Tait
So let us make it clear, first of all, that White has no advantage in the Nimzo-Larsen. The lines in ECO, for example, conclude mostly in 'equal' or 'unclear', with just a few "White stands slightly better' and even those seem optimistic. Nor is the Nimzo-Larsen a 'system' opening in which the first moves are played parrot-fashion regardless of the replies.
That's not to say White can't win, of course. In strategically rich positions, such as arise in the Nimzo-Larsen, The player who brings more to the game - in imagination, technique, spirit, or understanding - will generally have the better chances. 1.b3 also has the usual advantage associated with 'side-line' openings; that the opponents are thrown onto their own resources at an early stage. Thus theoretical equality is turned into a practical advantage, whereas a theoretical plus against someone's pet defense (or counterattack) can easily be outweighed by their superior understanding of the types of positions that arise in that opening.
And in aesthetic terms there is an appealing leftfield quality about b2-b3. Subjective factors do count for something in chess, if only to induce a positive attitude at the board.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
Byron Jacobs & Jonathan Tait
2001
Contents
Part One: 1.b3 e5
1 1.b3 e5 2.
2 1.b3 e5 2.
3 1.b3 e5 2.
Part Two: 1.b3 d5 and 1.
4 Reversed Nimzo-Indian: 1.
5 Reversed Queen's Indian: 1.
6 Black plays 1...d5, 2...
7 Black plays 1...d5, 2...
Part Three: Other Lines
8 Black plays an early ...g7-g6
9 Black plays 1...c5 and Other Moves
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