After 1.b3 e5 2.g3 d5, you've already left the opening's tricky phase behind. White has committed to a fianchetto setup without challenging your centre, and the numbers confirm you are doing your job: across over 400,000 games Black scores 49.9%, with White winning just 46.1% and draws a rare 4.0%. Stockfish evaluates the position at -0.65, meaning Black stands slightly better from the very start. This page walks you through the most popular replies, the one move White should avoid, and what the engine wants next.
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Find your own #1 mistake — free →Why You're Already Slightly Better
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1.b3) aims to control dark squares and delay a direct central confrontation. By answering 2.g3 with 2...d5, you have staked a clear claim in the centre with your pawn duo on e5 and d5. White's early g3 softens the kingside and does nothing to challenge your space advantage. The engine's -0.65 evaluation — a small edge for Black — reflects that simple truth: you have more central influence and easier development. From a practical standpoint, this is exactly the kind of position where a club player can outplay a White player who is relying on tricky ideas rather than sound chess.
The Most Popular Replies (and What They Mean for You)
White has several options, and the statistics reveal that none of them equalise. The database of over 400,000 games shows these most-played continuations from this exact position: - 3.Bb2 (208,823 games, White scores 47.4%) – The most common move, developing the queen's bishop to the long diagonal. Black can continue naturally with ...Nc6 or ...Nf6, keeping the centre strong. - 3.Bg2 (122,465 games, White scores 46.5%) – White fianchettoes the other bishop. You have nothing to fear; continue developing with ...Nc6 or ...Nf6 to maintain your space. - 3.e3 (26,888 games, White scores 45.6%) – A modest move that prepares d4 but also blocks the dark-squared bishop. Black can reply ...Nf6 and continue with natural development. - 3.d3 (14,965 games, White scores 44.8%) – The engine's top choice, a quiet move that prepares Bg2. Even here White scores at only 44.8%, confirming your position is pleasant. - 3.d4 (5,972 games, White scores 41.1%) – An ambitious central thrust that actually scores even worse for White. You can support your centre with ...Nc6 and keep an edge. In every case, White is below 48%, and you enter the middlegame with the easier side to play.
The Mistake White Should Avoid: 3.Ba3
The statistics flag one move as a clear inaccuracy: 3.Ba3 (6,298 games, White scores just 38.8%). The engine says this loses roughly 0.7 pawns of evaluation compared to the best move 3.d3. Why is it so bad? White places the bishop on a3 where it can be chased away by ...b6 or ...c5, and more importantly White neglects the centre and kingside development. If your opponent plays 3.Ba3, your advantage grows even larger. A simple reply like 3...Nc6, continuing development and ignoring the misplaced bishop, leaves White struggling. Keep an eye out for this — it's a free boost to your winning chances.
The Engine's Blueprint: What White Wants to Do
Stockfish recommends the sequence 3.d3 Nc6 4.Bg2 Nf6 as the best path for White. This is a quiet, solid approach: White develops the king's bishop to the long diagonal and waits. Notice that the engine does not suggest anything aggressive for White — no early b4, no c4 pawn break. This confirms that your central space with d5 and e5 is a real asset. Your task as Black is simple: complete development with natural piece placement, castle early, keep the pawn centre intact until White forces you to do otherwise, and look for breaks like ...d4 when the time is right. The engine trusts Black's position, and so should you.
Results across 404,346 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb2Main line | 208,823 | 47.4% |
| 2 | Bg2 | 122,465 | 46.5% |
| 3 | e3 | 26,888 | 45.6% |
| 4 | d3 | 14,965 | 44.8% |
| 5 | Ba3 | 6,298 | 38.8% |
| 6 | d4 | 5,972 | 41.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack a good opening for White?
In this specific position after 1.b3 e5 2.g3 d5, White scores below 47% across over 400,000 games, and Stockfish evaluates at -0.65, meaning Black stands slightly better. The opening is playable for White but it is not dangerous for a prepared Black player.
What is the best move for Black after 1.b3 e5 2.g3?
The position after 2...d5 is very popular and well-scoring for Black. Against most White replies you can develop naturally with ...Nc6, ...Nf6, and a flexible bishop on e7 or d6. There is no single 'best' move because all common options give Black a comfortable game and good statistics.
Should I punish 3.Ba3 immediately?
Yes. 3.Ba3 is a known inaccuracy that costs White about 0.7 pawns of evaluation. You can reply with 3...Nc6 or 3...d4 and continue developing sensibly — White will have a hard time justifying the misplaced bishop.
How often does Black win in this opening?
In the Lichess database of 404,346 games at this exact position, Black wins 49.9%, White wins 46.1%, and only 4.0% end in a draw. That is a strong practical result for Black at club level.