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Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation as Black
After 1.b3 c5, the game can stay very flexible, but you still need a clear idea of what you are fighting for. The position in this lesson is completely level according to the engine, so your job is not to “equalise” by force — it is to keep the balance and answer White’s choices cleanly. Use the drill below to practise the most important continuation and the common replies White chooses most often.
Play the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the key reply against White’s most common setups. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the position anytime.
Create a free account →A quiet start, but not a harmless one
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation begins with a modest-looking setup, yet it can lead to a wide range of middlegames. As Black, you should not expect an immediate tactical showdown. Instead, aim for active piece development, steady control of the centre, and a position where White does not get easy space for free. In this opening, Black’s first practical task is simply to meet White’s choices without drifting into passivity.
What the engine wants here
Stockfish rates this -0.10, a tiny plus for Black. That means you are level and neither side is better out of the opening. The engine’s best move here is e4, with the continuation e4 Nc6 Nf3 g6. In practical terms, this is a good lesson in staying alert: when White gives you a stable position, the best reply is often the most active one that keeps your pieces harmonious.
The replies you will see most often
This position is heavily tested in practice, with 1,260,583 games at the exact position in the Lichess database. White’s most common continuation is Bb2, played in 1,124,263 games. Other popular choices are e3, g3, c4, Ba3, and e4. That means your drill should focus on recognising White’s setup quickly and choosing a sensible response rather than memorising one narrow line.
What the numbers say about the opening
The results are very close: White wins 48.7%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 47.3%. That is the picture of a balanced opening, not a one-sided one. For a Black player, this is encouraging if you like solid positions with room to outplay your opponent later. The downside is that small mistakes can matter, because there is no huge opening advantage to fall back on.
Results across 1,260,583 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bb2 | 1,124,263 | 49.1% |
| e3 | 28,215 | 48.3% |
| g3 | 23,900 | 46.5% |
| c4 | 19,323 | 45.6% |
| Ba3 | 15,696 | 45.3% |
| e4 | 10,100 | 47.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation good for Black?
Yes, it is perfectly playable for Black. The engine says the position is dead level, so you are not worse out of the opening. The key is to handle White’s flexible setup calmly and stay active.
What is the main move to know here as Black?
The engine’s best move is e4, with the continuation e4 Nc6 Nf3 g6. That is the line to understand first in the drill. It gives you a clear, active reaction to White’s opening choice.
What should I expect White to play most often?
By far the most common continuation is Bb2, and it appears in 1,124,263 games. The other main choices are e3, g3, c4, Ba3, and e4. So you should be ready for several quiet, developing setups.
Is this opening better for tactical or positional players?
It suits players who are comfortable with flexible, positional play. The statistics and engine both point to a balanced opening rather than a sharp gambit. If you like sound development and patient middlegames, this is a good drill to practise.
How many games feature the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation position. White wins 48.7%, Black wins 47.3%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.