Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation
The Modern Variation of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack is 1.b3 e5, where Black takes the center and blocks the long diagonal. White attacks e5 with Bb2 and e3, while Black defends with ...Nc6 and ...d6 or ...Bd6 and plays ...d5.
- Moves
- 1.b3 e5
- ECO
- A01
- Engine
- −0.07 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 14,345 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 2.Bb2 to hit e5 at once and force Black to defend it.
- Use Bb5 to pin the c6 knight and win the e5 pawn, as in the first engine line.
- Set up with e3 and Nf3 to keep pressure on e5 and prepare quick castling.
- Consider c4 to grab space on the queenside and prepare Nc3 against d5.
Black
- Defend e5 with ...Nc6 and play ...d5 to build a strong center.
- Use ...Bd6 to protect e5, as in the second engine line, then play ...c6.
- After Bb5 and Bxe5, use ...a6 to gain time on the bishop.
- Develop with ...Nf6, then ...e4 to gain space and push a knight from f3.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's e5 pawn blocks the b2 bishop and makes the long diagonal a fight. White wants to attack e5 with Bb2, e3 and Nf3 and sometimes Bb5 to remove its defender. Black wants a broad center with ...d5 and ...Nc6, and later ...e4 for space. If Black's center holds, White's bishop on b2 is passive. If White wins e5, Black gets active pieces in return.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.07: level. Its three top choices for White:
- −0.07 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 4.Bb5 Ne7
- −0.25 2.e3 d5 3.Bb2 Bd6 4.c4 c6
- −0.26 2.c4 Nf6 3.Bb2 Nc6 4.e3 d5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
14,345 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Pachman Gambit2.Bb2 · rare
How to play against it
White, start with 2.Bb2 and pressure e5 at once; Bb5 can remove its defender. Don't let Black build ...d5 and ...e4 without a fight. Black, keep e5 protected with ...Nc6 or ...Bd6 and develop quickly, then grab space with ...d5.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6; 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3; 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation?
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation starts 1.b3 e5. Its ECO code is A01.
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.07 at depth 20, which is level. In 14,345 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.4%. A comfortable choice for Black players who want space, and White must play actively to justify b3.
What is the main idea of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation?
Black takes the center with ...e5 and supports it with ...Nc6 and ...d5. White attacks e5 with Bb2, e3 and sometimes Bb5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Bb2, with e3 and c4 close behind. 2.Bb2 hits e5 at once and starts the fight for the long diagonal.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.