Chessy
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation Bb2 — How to Play Black
After 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6, you've entered the Modern Variation of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack. The engine gives -0.29, a small edge for Black — meaning you are already slightly better. This page will show you why. You'll learn what White's best continuation looks like, which common moves are actually mistakes you can exploit, and what the statistics from nearly six million games reveal about your chances. Scroll down for the interactive drill where you can test yourself against the engine.
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Create a free account →The Position Already Favours You
After just two moves, the evaluation sits at -0.29 in Black's favour. That small plus is real: White's early b3 and Bb2 does nothing to fight for the centre, while your e5 and Nc6 stake a clear claim. Across 5,952,643 games from this exact position, Black wins 46.7% compared to White's 49.5%, with only 3.8% draws — a healthy practical score for your side. The engine wants White to play c4 immediately to challenge your central grip, which tells you that any slow move from White risks giving you an even bigger advantage.
White's Best Plan (and How to Meet It)
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is c4, aiming to follow up with Nf6 e3 d5. This setup fights for the d5 square and tries to build a solid pawn chain. Your task as Black is straightforward: develop naturally, don't let White seize the centre for free, and trust that your e5 pawn and active pieces give you a comfortable game. If White plays c4, you can continue with standard developing moves like Nf6, e6, or Bb4 — your structure is sound and your space advantage on the kingside is a long-term asset.
Two Common White Mistakes You Can Punish
Among the most-played continuations, two stand out as clear inaccuracies that cost White roughly 0.6 pawns each. Both are moves you should be happy to see: - g3 (played 1,143,127 times): Committing to a slow fianchetto when White should have played e3. After g3, your advantage grows. Develop quickly and consider central breaks like d5 or f5. - Nc3 (played 186,814 times): This knight move blocks the c-pawn, making it harder for White to challenge your centre. Again, e3 was better. Punish this by maintaining your central space and preparing to develop your kingside. Knowing these two inaccuracies means you can recognise them instantly and adjust your plan accordingly.
What the Statistics Tell Us
The numbers from Lichess give a clear picture of what works for White and what doesn't. The most popular move, e3 (2,782,713 games), scores 51.7% for White — solid but hardly scary. The second-most popular, g3, drops to 47.9%, a poor result that matches its inaccuracy label. Moves like e4 (45.0%) and Nc3 (45.3%) score even worse for White, confirming that aggressive central play from Black is rewarded. The takeaway: stay principled, maintain your e5 pawn, and White will often drift into a worse position.
Results across 5,952,643 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e3 | 2,782,713 | 51.7% |
| g3 | 1,143,127 | 47.9% |
| Nf3 | 662,561 | 50.4% |
| e4 | 367,530 | 45.0% |
| d3 | 334,583 | 47.0% |
| Nc3 | 186,814 | 45.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack good for White?
In the Modern Variation with 2.Bb2, the engine gives Black a small edge of -0.29. White wins 49.5% of games at this position, but your winning chances as Black at 46.7% are nearly equal — so while White doesn't stand badly, you as Black have nothing to fear and can play for a win.
What is White's best move against the Nimzo-Larsen Modern?
Stockfish recommends c4 as White's strongest continuation, planning c4 Nf6 e3 d5. This tries to challenge your centre. If White plays something else — especially g3 or Nc3 — they are making an inaccuracy that costs them about 0.6 pawns compared to the best move.
How should Black respond to 1.b3?
The most principled reply, and the one leading to this variation, is 1...e5, grabbing central space immediately. After 2.Bb2, developing with 2...Nc6 is natural and strong. You're already slightly better according to the engine, so you can play confidently from here.
Should I be worried about White playing c4?
Not at all. While c4 is White's best try according to the engine, Black still holds a small advantage at -0.29. Just continue developing sensibly — moves like Nf6, e6, or Bb4 are all good — and you'll maintain your edge. The statistics show White doesn't score particularly well from this position anyway.