Chessy
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation — Playing as Black
After 1.b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6, you've reached the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation with White's bishop committed to b2. Stockfish evaluates this position at +0.05, a tiny plus for White — in human terms that means you are perfectly equal. The numbers back that up: across over 1.2 million games, Black actually wins 49.7% of the time against White's 45.9% , with just 4.4% draws. This is a live, fighting opening where neither side has a forced edge. Below, the interactive drill will put you in this exact position as Black, facing an engine that adapts to your replies. Let's look at what matters most.
Play the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation: Bb2 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to test your Black repertoire against the Nimzo-Larsen? Jump into the interactive drill below — play the position against the engine, try different plans,
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For
The key battleground here is the centre. White has delayed d4 and may try to control it from the flanks with b3 and Bb2, aiming at your kingside once you fianchetto with ...g6 and ...Bg7. Your job is straightforward: complete development, challenge the centre, and don't let White's bishop on b2 become a monster. Black's most natural plan is to play ...d5 (or ...d6 followed by ...e5), castle kingside, and then look for active play — either a central break or pressure on White's queenside. Because the engine evaluation is flat, the game will be decided by who understands the resulting structures better, not by memorising forced lines.
The Engine's Recommendation and What It Means
Stockfish suggests d4 as White's best move, planning to follow up with Bg7 and e3, then castle. If White plays optimally, you'll face a solid but unambitious setup. That's actually good news for you as Black — White is admitting they don't have an immediate attacking plan. Your response should be principled: develop your bishop to g7, castle, and then decide whether to challenge the centre with ...d5 or ...c5, depending on White's next move. Remember, the engine sees this as dead level, so trust your chess instincts and stick to sound development.
The Most Dangerous (and Most Common) White Moves
White has several popular options here, and they lead to very different types of games: - e3 (343,767 games, White 45.4%) — White's most frequent move. A quiet, flexible approach. You can reply with ...Bg7 and ...d5, reaching a sort of reversed Queen's Indian. - g3 (187,808 games, White 45.8%) — White fianchettoes both bishops. This is symmetrical and very solid; again, ...Bg7 and ...d5 is fine. - Bxf6 (161,133 games, White 45.1%) — This is actually a mistake (see next section). If White plays it, you're already slightly better. - g4 (112,680 games, White 51.1%) — This aggressive thrust is the only move that gives White a statistical edge. Be alert: if you see g4, consider meeting it with ...d5 or ...h5 to grab space and challenge White's wing expansion. - Nf3 (104,006 games, White 45.5%) and e4 (67,484 games, White 45.8%) — both solid, both favour you in practice. Against e4, ...d5 or ...Bg7 followed by ...d6 are both playable.
The One Mistake You Should Punish
The FACTS identify one clear inaccuracy: Bxf6. This move loses about half a pawn compared to the engine's preferred d4. Why is it bad? White trades their well-placed bishop for your knight — but your knight on f6 isn't doing anything special yet, and after ...exf6 or ...Bxf6, White's bishop pair is gone and you get either the open e-file or the bishop pair yourself. If White plays Bxf6, you can recapture either way depending on your style: ...exf6 gives you central control and the e-file, while ...Bxf6 keeps the kingside fianchetto intact. Either way, you've emerged from the opening with a tiny edge. Drill this position so that when White blunders, you're ready to make them pay.
Results across 1,213,111 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e3 | 343,767 | 45.4% |
| g3 | 187,808 | 45.8% |
| Bxf6 | 161,133 | 45.1% |
| g4 | 112,680 | 51.1% |
| Nf3 | 104,006 | 45.5% |
| e4 | 67,484 | 45.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation good for Black?
Yes — from Black's side this position is dead equal. The engine gives White a microscopic +0.05 edge, and in practice Black actually wins more often (49.7% vs 45.9%). A strong, principled response will leave you with at least equal chances.
What is the best move for Black after 1.b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6?
The most natural and best move is 3...Bg7, completing the kingside fianchetto. From there, you can follow up with ...d5 or ...0-0 depending on White's third move. The engine's preferred line after d4 continues 4...Bg7 5.e3 0-0, reaching a fully playable middlegame.
Why is Bxf6 a mistake for White?
Bxf6 gives up White's strongest piece (the bishop on b2) for a knight that isn't causing any trouble. The engine says it costs White about half a pawn, and White's winning percentage drops to 45.1%. If your opponent plays it, recapture confidently — you're already slightly better.
Should I be scared of White playing g4?
g4 is White's most successful move statistically (51.1% for White), so it deserves respect. But it's not refuted — you can meet it with ...d5, challenging the centre immediately, or ...h5 to attack the g4 pawn. Just be aware that White is trying to seize space on the kingside, so don't let them roll over you without a fight.
How many games feature the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation: Bb2?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation: Bb2 position. White wins 45.9%, Black wins 49.7%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.