OpeningsPlay as white

Larsen's Opening - Classical Setup

A hypermodern flank opening where White fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop on b2 and builds a flexible central setup

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Introduction

Larsen's Opening (1. b3), also called the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, is named after the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen who popularized it in the 1960s and 70s. Aron Nimzowitsch pioneered the idea earlier, using the queenside fianchetto to control the center from the flank rather than occupying it with pawns. The key idea is simple: the bishop on b2 commands the long a1-h8 diagonal, putting pressure on e5 and g7. White keeps maximum flexibility, choosing when and how to commit in the center. The resulting positions blend elements of the Queen's Indian, English, and Reti — offering a practical, low-theory system where understanding trumps memorization.

Lesson Content

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1. b3

Prepare to fianchetto your dark-squared bishop.

b3 — Larsen's Opening — White prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop to b2, controlling the long diagonal. Instead of occupying the center immediately, White takes a hypermodern approach. Black's main responses: - 1. ..e5 — the most popular, claiming the center directly - 1. ..d5 — equally sound, establishing central control - 1. ..♘︎f6 — flexible, keeping options open

DevelopmentPiece Activity

Alternative Moves

e4 — The most popular first move — leads to open games. b3 takes a flank approach with different strategic ideas.

d4 — The Queen's Pawn — mainstream and strong. b3 delays central commitment for flexibility.

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1. ..d5

Black claims the center directly with the d-pawn — a principled response. While White focuses on the flank, Black seizes central space, controlling e4 and c4.

Center Control

Alternative Moves

e5 — Also excellent — claims the center and is slightly more popular. d5 is equally sound with a different character.

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2. ♗︎b2

Complete the fianchetto on the long diagonal.

♗︎b2 — The bishop fianchettoes immediately — the whole point of 1. b3. From b2, the bishop commands the a1-h8 diagonal, exerting long-range pressure on e5 and toward the kingside. This is the defining move of Larsen's Opening.

Piece ActivityDevelopment

Alternative Moves

♘︎f3 — Good development but delays the fianchetto. ♗︎b2 is the natural follow-up to b3.

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2. ..♘︎f6

Black develops the knight to its most natural square, controlling e4 and d5 while preparing to castle. The knight on f6 is a universal developing move that works in almost any setup.

DevelopmentCenter Control

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3. ♘︎f3

Develop your knight to control the center.

White develops the knight to its best square, controlling e5 and d4 while preparing kingside castling. The ♘︎f3/♗︎b2 duo creates a harmonious partnership — both pieces pressure the dark squares.

DevelopmentCenter Control

Alternative Moves

e3 — Also fine but delays knight development. ♘︎f3 develops a piece and controls key central squares.

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3. ..e6

Black solidifies the d5 pawn with e6, creating a stable pawn chain. The light-squared bishop is temporarily locked in, but Black plans to develop it via b7 after ..b6 — a mirror fianchetto.

Pawn StructureCenter Control

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4. e3

Support the center while opening a diagonal for your bishop.

Supporting the center and opening the diagonal for the light-squared bishop. The e3/b3 pawn structure is the classic Larsen formation — modest but solid, keeping all options open for d3 or d4 later.

Pawn StructureDevelopment

Alternative Moves

c4 — Aggressive but commits the center early. e3 keeps flexibility — White can choose c4, d3, or d4 later.

d3 — Solid but passive. e3 opens the bishop diagonal and supports a future d4 break.

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4. ..♗︎e7

Black develops the bishop to a solid, flexible square and prepares to castle. ♗︎e7 is modest but practical — it doesn't commit to an aggressive diagonal yet.

DevelopmentKing Safety

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5. ♗︎e2

Develop your bishop and prepare to castle.

♗︎e2 — The light-squared bishop develops to a flexible square, preparing to castle. From e2, the bishop supports d3 or can later relocate to f3 for central pressure. White prioritizes completing development over an immediate central push.

Development

Alternative Moves

d4 — Also strong — immediately seizes the center. ♗︎e2 develops first, keeping the d4 push as a powerful option for later.

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5. ..O-O

Black castles to safety. The king is secure on g8, and the f8 rook can support the center or shift to the c-file later.

King Safety

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6. O-O

Castle to safety before starting central operations.

O-O — White also castles kingside, securing the king. With both bishops developed and the king safe, White is ready to begin central operations with d4 and c4.

King SafetyDevelopment

Alternative Moves

d4 — Playable before castling, but king safety comes first. O-O then d4 is more reliable.

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6. ..b6

Black mirrors White's strategy — preparing a queenside fianchetto with ..♗︎b7. Both sides will have bishops on the long diagonals, creating a symmetrical fianchetto structure.

DevelopmentPiece Activity

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7. d4

Strike in the center now that development is complete.

Now is the right time to seize the center! With development complete and the king safe, White strikes with d4. The ♗︎b2 supports this advance, and the position takes on a Queen's Gambit-like character where White has a central advantage.

Center ControlSpace

Alternative Moves

d3 — Too passive now that development is complete. d4 fights for the center with full piece support.

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7. ..♗︎b7

Black completes the fianchetto. The ♗︎b7 eyes the a8-h1 diagonal, ready to pressure e4 and the ♘︎f3 once the d5 pawn moves. Both sides now have symmetrical fianchetto structures, but White has a central space advantage thanks to d4.

Piece ActivityDevelopment

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8. c4

Expand in the center with the classic pawn duo.

The Queen's Gambit formation! White establishes the classic d4+c4 pawn center, controlling d5 and e5. This is the strategic payoff of the Larsen approach — White delayed the central push until all pieces were developed, then struck with full support.

Center ControlSpace

Alternative Moves

♘︎bd2 — Develops but doesn't challenge Black's center. c4 is the thematic break, fighting for d5.

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8. ..dxc4

Black captures, resolving the central tension. This gives up the d5 stronghold but opens lines and avoids passive positions. White will recapture with the bishop, gaining active development.

Pawn Structure

Alternative Moves

c5 — Also playable — challenges d4 directly. dxc4 simplifies the center and gives Black counterplay on the c-file.

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9. ♗︎xc4

Recapture with the bishop to activate it.

♗︎xc4 — The bishop recaptures on an excellent square. From c4, it targets the sensitive e6/f7 area and controls d5. White has active pieces and a central pawn majority.

Piece ActivityDevelopment

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9. ..♘︎bd7

Black develops the last minor piece, preparing to play ..c5 to challenge White's d4 pawn. The knight on d7 supports both ..c5 and ..e5 breaks while keeping the position flexible.

DevelopmentCenter Control

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10. ♘︎c3

Develop your last piece to its most active square.

♘︎c3 — White completes piece development with the knight heading to c3. From here, it supports the center (d5 push), controls e4, and adds pressure to the position. White has achieved a model Larsen setup — ♗︎b2 on the long diagonal, ♗︎c4 targeting the kingside, knights centralized, and pawns on d4.

DevelopmentCenter Control

Alternative Moves

♘︎bd2 — A fine alternative that leaves c3 free for the bishop. ♘︎c3 is more centralized but takes c3 from the bishop.

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10. ..c5

Black challenges White's d4 pawn — the standard counter in these structures. The position is dynamically balanced: White has central presence and active bishops, while Black has solid development and central counterplay.

Center ControlSpace

Key Takeaways

1.b3 + ♗︎b2 puts the dark-squared bishop on the powerful a1-h8 diagonal
Complete development before pushing d4 — timing is key
The d4 + c4 push creates a strong central presence with full piece support
♗︎xc4 recaptures actively, targeting Black's kingside
The ♗︎b2 is Larsen's long-term asset — it influences the game throughout

Now play it through

Step through every move on a real board, try the wrong ones, and ask Knighty why they fail.

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Related Lessons

Albin Counter-Gambit - Fianchetto Line

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Alekhine Defense - Modern Variation

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Baltic Defense

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Summary

You've learned Larsen's Opening — a hypermodern system where White fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop to b2 before committing in the center. The strategy is to complete development (♘︎f3, e3, ♗︎e2, O-O) first, then strike with d4 and c4 when all pieces are in place. The ♗︎xc4 recapture gives White active piece play, and the ♗︎b2 remains a powerful long-term asset on the long diagonal.

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