The Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1.b3) Explained: Hypermodern Chess Weapon

 

Unlock the Power of 1.b3
Guide to the Nimzo-Larsen Attack

 Surprise your opponents and dominate the center with the dynamic Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1.b3).

This hypermodern opening fianchettoes the light-squared bishop, aiming for long-term pressure on the kingside. 

This comprehensive guide offers free resources, video lessons, and everything you need to master this hypermodern chess weapon!

Nimzo - Larsen Wikipedia Page 
1. b3

Nimzovich-Larsen attack, modern variation           
 1. b3 e5         27%        < 2000 >     33%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, Indian variation 
            1. b3 Nf6        10%       < 2000 >    16%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, classical variation   
        1. b3 d5         31 %       < 2000 >      25%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, English variation   
        1. b3 c5             5%       < 2000 >       5%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, Dutch variation   
           1. b3 f5             1%       < 2000 >       1%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, Polish variation   
           1. b3 b5            > 1%    <  2000 >     >1%
Nimzovich-Larsen attack, symmetrical variation 
     1. b3 b6           3%        < 2000 >      2.5%

(Percentages Above are a rough Estimate of How often each variation is Played by people under 2000 and over 2000 off LiChess Database  (( 25 Million+  1.b3 Games)  This is Rough , not including Transpositions etc and all the other crazy Moves)

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BOOKS (Free)

• Short & Sweet: 1. b3  -  FREE Chessable Course -  26 Trainable Lines w/59 min Video  - GM Adhiban Baskaran  

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Nimzo-Larsen Attack Chess Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack.

• Chess Opening Basics: The Nimzo-Larsen Attack  - Opening Guide Chessable Blog - Basic Overview of the Opening w/ History and Famous games.
  
  
• Larsen’s Opening: 1.b3 Guide for White & Black  -  Chessable Opening Guide - Overview w/ Look at Main variations
  
  
• Larsen’s Opening by Bill Wall  -  Old Text page By Bill Wall w/ PDFs of a Bunch of Annotated Games
  
  
• Nimzo-Larsen 1.b3 surprise opening system reloaded!  - LiChess Blog Article - 16 Min Embedded Vide w/ 2 Magnus Carlsen Games
  
  
• How amateur chess players respond to 1.b3 (Larsen’s Attack) -  Nice Article Breaking Down Variations into How Often you see Lines Played in Chessbase
  

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Nimzo-Larsen Attack LiChess Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

• The Nimzo-Larsen Attack - 7 Chapter Study   (300 hearts) - Basic Intro Showing the Variations
  
  
• The Nimzo-Larsen Attack  - 19 Chapter Interactive Study  (100 hearts) Interactive showing Different Lines and Blunders by Black.
  
  
• The Nimzo-Larsen Attack move by move - 60 Chapter Study  (All Games)
  
  
• Nimzo-Larsen as black  - 3 Chapter Study  - Pretty basic study w/ 3 options to play (Not very Detailed)
  
  
• Beat the Nimzo-Larsen Attack with the Lc0 Gambit  - 6 Chapter Study  (50 hearts) - Study built on a Gambit Line learned from A hikaru game.

LISTUDY 
(Learn Openings Here and Practice them with Movetrainer or Play them against Computer)

Nimzo-Larsen Attack  -  5 Studys here To learn and Practice Opening

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Game Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Halasz Gambit and see how it's played in practice.

Chessgames.com 

• Nimzovich-Larsen Attack (A01) 1 b3  - 4933 Games

365Chess.com

• A01: Nimzovich-Larsen attack 1. b3  - 15,446 Games  (Broken Down into 7 Variations)

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Larsen's Opening Video Lessons

Beat Black with Larsen’s Opening 1.b3: A Positional Powerhouse ⚔ - GM Damian Lemos (Chess Openings) - 41 Min -  it’s solid and flexible… but we're here to tell you that 1.b3 (aka Larsen’s Opening) can also be a stone-cold killer.

Larsen's Opening: 1.b3 | Chess Openings Explained - 57 min - St.Louis Chess Club - See three of the most classic games of Larsen's Opening.

The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack: Lecture with GM Ben Finegold - 57 Min  - GM Ben Finegold - lectures on the opening move 1.b3, a quite playable way for White to begin a game. Covers 4 famous games.

Learn the Larsen Opening (1.b3)  - 18 Min   - Chess Geek - cover both the d5 classical system and the e5 modern system! Plus we look at a game example of the Larsen's Opening

Nimzo Larsen Attack (Modern Variation) in Hindi - Strategies and Ideas - 18 Min - Hindi Chess Videos

GM Igor Smirnov

• 1.b3 Chess Opening for White (More POWERFUL Than You Think!) - 18 Min - You will learn the common ideas for White if Black plays 1...e5 or 1...d5, which are the most common replies. GM Igor Smirnov tests your knowledge at the end with the famous game where the Indian grandmaster Adhiban Baskaran beat David Navara in just 9 moves in this opening.
  
  
• 1.b3 Part - 1 by GM Igor Smirnov  - 33 Min - this part contains the explanation for Black's reply 1...e5 for 1.b3.
  
  
• 1.b3 Part - 2 by GM Igor Smirnov  - 20 Min - In this second part of the video 1.b3 I will showing you the variation or the reply 1...d5 for the white's first move which often leads to the Queens Indian opening.
  
  

Playing Against 1. b3

• GM Eugene Perelshteyn teaches you how to face 1.b3 Larsen's Opening - 15 Min - GM Eugene Perelshteyn - We like our recommendation 1…e5 because it both takes the center, and takes away White’s positional idea of f2-f4 with a grip on e5. Get comfortable with this opening for Black, and White cannot hope to get an advantage!
  
  
• An Easy and Effective System Against 1. b3!  - 10 Min  GM Jesse Kraai  (Chess Dojo) - Explores an easy and effective system against 1.b3 that can solve all of your problems!
  
  
• WIN IN 3 MOVES | Beat the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1. b3) - 20 Min - Jonathan Schrantz - Can you really beat the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1. b3) in just 3 moves? Turns out you can... and in just three moves! Learn how to win chess games with this tricky and trappy chess opening.

1.b3 Traps

• Insane traps for 1.b3! Win their Queen or Checkmate! - 8 Min
  
• Top 3 Favourite 1.b3 Opening Traps | GM Moulthun Ly  - 6 Min
  
• Dirty Chess Tricks 35 (Knock out the Nimzo-Larsen - 1) - 17 Min

Nimzo-Larsen Attack Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Playlists

• Nimzo-Larsen Attack - 6 Video Playlist  - Chess School  (Famous Games)
  
• The Nimzovich-Larsen attack  - 38 Video Playlist - kingscrusher (Famous games w/ lessons)

Aman plays 1.b3 every game | TITLED TUESDAY - 1.5 hr - GM Aman Hambelton  -(New - 6/7/2024) 

Master Class | Nimzowitsch–Larsen Attack | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 21 Min

Master Class | 1.B3!! Nimzo-Larsen | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky  - 33 MIN

Bobby Plays 1.b3 | Fischer vs Filip | Palma de Mallorca Interzonal (1970)  - 11 Min

Boris Spassky's 17-move crush of Bent Larsen's 1.b3  - 8 Min

EVERYONE loses to this opening  -  10 Min - GM Aman Hambelton  (Speed run )

This Is Nimzo–Larsen Attack Or Fischer's Shiny Zwischenzug - 6 Min

Praggnanandhaa Plays Larsen's Opening Against An Experienced Opponent - 7 Min

When the beast goes 1.b3! | Adhiban vs Praggnanandhaa - 12 Min

FM James Canty III

Fighting The Nimzo Larsen - 1. b3 - Game Analysis  - 13 Min   
Crushing 1. b3 - The Larsen System - Game Analysis  - 8 Min
Tate Memorial Round 4 - Nimzo Larsen System  -  24 Min
Tate Memorial Round - 6 - Nimzo Larsen - 20 Min

IM John Bartholomew

Standard Chess #29: robwilby vs. IM Bartholomew (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 25 Min
Standard Chess #223: IM Bartholomew vs. seeuingoa (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 30 Min
Blitz Chess #244: Hultin vs. IM Bartholomew (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 20 Min
Blitz Chess #455: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Melikset Khachiyan (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 21 Min
Blitz Chess #143: IM Joorge vs. IM Bartholomew (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 17 Min
Blitz Chess #60: GM Mareco vs. IM Bartholomew (Nimzo-Larsen Opening) - 12 Min
Blitz Chess #455: IM Bartholomew vs. GM Melikset Khachiyan (Nimzo-Larsen Attack) - 21 Min

"The beauty of a move lies not in its appearance
but in the thought behind it." - Aron Nimzowitsch

Updated London Page

 Just Cleaned Up , Organized, and Updated  The London Opening page on the Sidebar.

          - Added some New Guides and Articles
          - Added New Opening Lesson Video Playlist (From GM Aman Hambleton)
          - Added links to The Chessgames.com and 365Chess pages of London games
          - Added Some New Annotated game Videos  and 2 Playlists of  70+ Annotated Game Videos

          -  Added Highlighted Links To The Following Pages There Now
          -  Link  To Jobava London Opening Page 
          -  Link To Anti-London Page 

Torre Attack (A46 - A48 D03) - Chess Opening Theory

 

Conquer the Center:
Mastering the Torre Attack ♛

Seeking an exciting and effective opening for White?

  Look no further than the Torre Attack! This beginner-friendly system allows you to develop your pieces quickly and launch a powerful attack on your opponent's king. With our extensive archive of resources, including articles, video lessons, and annotated games, you'll be a Torre Attack expert in no time!

Wikipedia Page

The Torre Attack is a system opening for white in the Queen’s Pawn Opening, known for its distinctive setup of d4-Nf3-Bg5 within the first three moves, tailored to counter various responses by black.

or the Tartakower Variation in the Queen's Pawn Game (ECO code D03):

or the Torre Attack in the East Indian Defence (ECO code A48):

or the Torre Attack in the Indian Defence (ECO code A47):

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BOOKS (Free)

Looking to bolster your Torre Attack knowledge without breaking the bank? Here are a couple of fantastic free resources to add to your chess library:

• Beating The Anti- Kings Indians - 193 page PDF - This comprehensive PDF delves into various responses Black can employ against the King's Indian Defense, including the Torre Attack (covered in Chapter 10, pages 137-147). While the entire book isn't dedicated solely to the Torre Attack, this chapter provides valuable insights into navigating this specific opening against the King's Indian.
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Torre Attack - FREE Chessable Course 
  This Chessable course offers a concise and effective way to learn the Torre Attack's key variations. With 30 trainable variations and 72 minutes of video instruction, you'll gain a solid understanding of the opening's core concepts and common lines. The course utilizes Chessable's spaced repetition system to help you solidify your learning and retain information for the long term.

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Torre Attack Chess Articles

Here's a curated selection of articles to equip you with a thorough understanding of the Torre Attack:

• Torre Attack – The Ultimate Opening Guide for White & Black  - Chessable Blog - This comprehensive guide delves into the core concepts of the Torre Attack, from strategic ideas and common variations to handling Black's responses. Illustrative games and explanations of key tactics will solidify your knowledge and equip you to outwit your opponents!
  
  
• Torre Attack  - Chess pathways Article w/12 min Embedded Video
  
  
• Become a Lumbeerjack with the Torre Attack!  - Chessbase Article - The page provides an in-depth review of Simon Williams’ DVD on the Torre Attack, a less mainstream but sound chess opening strategy. It highlights the benefits of using the Torre Attack to gain an advantage over well-prepared opponents and includes various features like tactics training and a database of opening theory.
  
  
• Play The Awesome Torre Attack - IM Alberto Chueca - This page provides an in-depth guide to the Torre Attack, a chess opening system that offers flexibility and complex play, similar to the London System. It emphasizes quick development and kingside attacks, while cautioning against potential counters involving the b2 pawn.
  
  
• Torre Attack - ChessDoctrine.com Guide (Really Nice Guide) - This page provides a detailed overview of the Torre Attack, a chess opening characterized by the moves d4, Nf3, and Bg5. It highlights the opening’s history, strategic objectives, key variations, and differences from similar systems like the Colle System.
   

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Torre Attack LiChess Studies

Lichess studies offer a fantastic way to delve deeper into the Torre Attack through interactive exploration. Here are some studies to elevate your game:

• Torre Attack Masterclass - 2 Chapters - Analyze annotated games featuring the legendary masters Lasker and Kasparov. Learn from the greats and witness the Torre Attack in action!
  
  
• Colle - Torre - London Systems - 17 Chapters ( Nice Study w/ A bunch of Model Games) This comprehensive study explores a group of opening systems known for their flexibility, including the Torre Attack. Gain a deeper understanding of interconnected opening ideas.
  
  
• The Torre Attack - 8 Chapter Study (Real Well Done.) - This well-structured study provides a comprehensive understanding of the opening's core concepts.
  
  
• torre attack - 7 Chapter Study
  
  
• Destroy the Anti-Torre Attack - 5 Chapters - Feeling confident about your Torre Attack? This study equips you to dismantle Black's attempts to counter your strategy.

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Games Databases

Dive into a vast collection of Torre Attack games to witness the opening in action and glean valuable insights from real-world battles:

Chessgames.com

Torre Attack (Tartakower Variation) (D03) 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Bg5 - 2251 Games - Browse through hundreds of Torre Attack games, allowing you to filter by player, rating, and other criteria.

Collections

• GM Jan Timman Plays the Torre - 11 Games - Study the games of a legendary Torre Attack player, GM Jan Timman, and learn from a master!
  
  
• D02 Anti-Torre Attack [Black] - 24 Games 
  
  
• A46 Torre Attack # 1 [Black] - 54 games (All Black Wins 0-1)
  
  
• Torre Attack Highlights - 101 Games (All White Wins)
  
  

Chess Tempo

Queen Pawn Game, Torre Attack (D03) - 4073 Games
Queen Pawn Game, Torre Attack, Gruenfeld Variation (D03) - 2705 Games
Queen Pawn Game, Torre Attack, Gossip Variation (D03) - 2518 Games

Torre Attack, Classical Defense, Nimzowitsch Variation (A46) - 3696 Games
Torre Attack, Classical Defense (A46) - 9519 Games
Torre Attack, Wagner Gambit (A46) - 101 Games
Torre Attack, Classical Defense, Petrosian Gambit (A46) - 166 Games

Torre Attack, Fianchetto Defense (A48) - 10,850 Games

365Chess.com

A46: Queen's pawn game 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 - 182,000 Games

A48: King's Indian, East Indian defence 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 - 76,000 Games

D03: Torre attack (Tartakower variation) 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5 - 6125 Games

Annotated Games

Carlos Torre vs EM. Lasker (Moscow 1925)
Carlos Torre vs Friedrich Saemisch(Moscow 1925)
NM Aaron Kahn (2291) - NM Victor Shen (2265) (2008 US Chess League ((Game 4 on this page))
Arthur Bernard Bisguier - James T. Sherwin (1955)

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Torre Attack Chess Video Lessons

U1400: the London, the Colle, and the Torre Attack, with GM Ben Finegold - 52 Min -Chess instructor GM Ben Finegold breaks down three popular openings for White - the London System, the Colle System, and the Torre Attack - highlighting their similarities and showcasing their potential with analysis of famous games. 
GM Jose Gonzalez - (New)

• The Torre Attack 2023 - Introduction - 14 Min - GM Jose Gonzalez - GM Jose Gonzalez offers a complete beginner-friendly guide to the Torre Attack chess opening. Learn key concepts, move orders, pawn structures, and how to launch winning attacks!
  
  
• Master the Torre Attack 2023 - 13 Min - GM Jose Gonzalez dives deep into a trendy pawn sacrifice used by top players like Daniil Dubov. Explore how to pull it off and how Black can counter this dangerous tactic.

The Torre Attack - Plans, Structures, Patterns, Variations · Chess Openings - 55 Min - Hanging pawns - The Torre Attack is an easy to play attacking system for white. It's easy to learn and understand, and learning it will add to your attaching opening repertoire without too much effort. Beat Anyone With Torre Attack! - 23 Min - GM Damien Lemos - Torre Attack vs Queen B6 Early! [GM Damian Lemos] explores a chess game where White uses the Torre Attack to launch a successful kingside attack against Black's early Queen B6.
Opening Basics #38: Torre attack - 38 Min - Jim's Chess Channel - This video explores the Torre Attack, a chess opening for White. Learn typical setups, strategic ideas, and see analysis of a historical game to add this powerful weapon to your arsenal.

Opening Repertoire || Torre Attack - 24 Min - Chess Lessons - This video dives into this exciting chess opening, perfect for beginners who want to develop their pieces quickly and launch a fierce kingside attack.

Understand the Torre Attack - Setups with ...h7-h6 followed by ...g7-g5 & Rare Systems -  1.5 Hr - GM Papaioannou  -This chess lecture by GM Papaioannou dives into the Torre Attack, a white opening with an early bishop fianchetto. He explores rare lines where black plays h7-h6 and g7-g5 early, and recommends Nc4 and bishop g3 for white to combat them.(Nice Lesson)

Beat the KID and the Grunfeld with the Torre attack! - 22 Min

Opening Repertoire || Torre Attack - 25 Min - If you are searching for promising opening that is flexible and don't need memorization then Torre Attack is good opening for you.
The Torre Attack 12 Min - Chess Pathways - This video explores the Torre Attack, a system where white fianchettoes the light-squared bishop early. It explains white's plans for a kingside attack but also discusses how black can counter this strategy with moves like Nc4 and Knight to e4.

Black vs. Torre Attack

• How to crush the Torre Setup -  8 Min - Robert Plunketts Chess lab - This video from Robert Plunkett's Chess Lab dismantles the Torre Setup, a White opening. Learn how Black can exploit an early Knight move and potentially punish castling kingside with a devastating tactic.
  
  
• A simple way to face the Torre Attack - 12 Min - NM Bryan Tillis is back with chess analysis! In this game, we will explore a simple way to face the Torre Attack.
• Torre Attack Chess Game Analysis (Black's Perspective) - 35 Min - NM Bryan Tillis - In this detailed analysis, the commentator examines a Torre Attack chess game from Black’s perspective. The discussion covers strategic moves, pawn structure, and piece placement.

Torre Attack Chess Traps

A Trap in the Torre Attack - 5 Min - This is a trap in the Torre Attack (1.d4 2.Nf3 3.Bg5). It is one of my favorite opening traps; in the 2000 Chicago Open I won two games with it.
Torre Attack - The Wagner Gambit Trap (trap no. 995) - 3 Min

PREVIEW: Gambit-Guide: Torre Attack, Wagner Gambit - 4 Min - GM Boris Alterman Gambit Guide - One such can be the Wagner Gambit (1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 Bg5 c5 e4!?), named after the German master Heinrich Wagner (1888-1959), which leads to a sharp game, where a precise defense from Black is needed.

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Torre Attack Game Videos (w/analysis)

The Torre Attack Collection  - 6 Video Playlist  - kingscrusher

Torre Attack  - 11 Video Playlist  - Axon Chess Academy (All 11 games are IM Andrew Martin)

• Torre Attacking | IM Bartholomew vs. NM Vinesh Ravuri - 33 Min IM Bartholomew
  
  
• IM Bartholomew vs. Ataraxis (Torre Attack) - 25 Min IM Bartholomew
  
  
• Chess Stream #63 A Lesson in the Torre Attack - 48 Min GM Simon Williams -This lesson by Grandmaster Simon Williams explores the Torre Attack opening, explaining White's plans for a kingside attack while also discussing how Black can counter this strategy.
  
  
• Eric tries the TORRE ATTACK - 10 Min - GM Eric Hansen - In this chess video,  Eric  plays a blitz game (fast paced) with a risky move that opens up lines on the board. This aggressive tactic leads him to winning the game in spectacular fashion.
  
  
• Torre attack that will inspire you | Netanya Open 2019 | Arthur Kogan vs Guy Gov 2019 - 4 Min - Chess School - Dramatic Kingside Clash! This chess game features a thrilling kingside attack by White with a bishop sacrifice and a surprising finish where Black delivers checkmate in just a few moves.
  
  
• Blitz Chess #255 with Live Comments Torre Attack - 11 Min - IM Christof Sielecki 
  
  
• Live Comments Queen Pawn Torre Attack vs HouseOfFun V Cohar with Black - 14 Min - IM Christof Sielecki
  
  

PGN Game Downloads

TorreAttack.pgn - 1736 Games (U of Pitt Archive)