Chess Openings Lab
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Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation

The Nimzo-Larsen Variation is 1...Nf6 2.b3, where White prepares Bb2 to control e5 and the long diagonal. White plays flexibly with e3 and sometimes Nh4 or Bb5, while Black chooses between ...d5, ...c5 and a ...g6 fianchetto.

Moves
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3
ECO
A05
Engine
−0.04 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
949 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Bb2 next and e3, building a solid queenside fianchetto that watches e5 and f6.
  • Against ...Bf5, the knight jump Nh4 hunts the bishop, as in the top engine line.
  • After ...c5 and ...Nc6, Bb5 pins the knight and fights for control of e5 and d4.

Black

  • 2...d5 with ...Bf5 and ...e6 sets up a sound London-style structure against the b2 bishop.
  • 2...c5 and ...d5 grab space in the center, then ...Nc6 covers e5.
  • 2...g6 and ...Bg7 meets the b2 bishop head on and blunts its pressure on the long diagonal.

Plans and pawn structure

White's game rests on the b2 bishop and control of e5. White plays e3, Be2 or Bb5, castles short and later picks c4 or d4. Black wants a firm center with ...d5 and active pieces, and can neutralize the bishop with ...g6 and ...Bg7. If Black overextends with ...e5 too early, the b2 bishop and Nf3 hit it. If White plays too slowly, Black's central pawns gain lots of space.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.04: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.04 2...d5 3.Bb2 Bf5 4.e3 e6 5.Nh4
  2. +0.08 2...c5 3.Bb2 d5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Bb5
  3. +0.12 2...g6 3.Bb2 Bg7 4.d4 O-O 5.c4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

949 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

1200–159952.7%
1600–199953.1%
2000 and up53.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As Black, set up with ...d5 and ...Bf5, or ...g6 and ...Bg7 to blunt the b2 bishop. Do not push ...e5 before it is well supported. Expect Nh4 against a bishop on f5 and keep ...Bg4 ready. A queenside fianchetto takes time, so use it to finish development and castle before White chooses between c4 and d4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation?

The Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation starts 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b3. Its ECO code is A05.

Is the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.04 at depth 20, which is level. In 949 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A quiet system for White players who like maneuvering, and Black is comfortable with simple development.

What is the main idea of the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation?

White fianchettoes the queen's bishop to control e5 and stays flexible. Black can build a firm center with ...d5 or cancel the b2 bishop with ...g6 and ...Bg7.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with c5 and g6 close behind. 2...d5 takes central space, and ...Bf5 brings the bishop out before ...e6 closes it in.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.