Chessy
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation — Black guide
After 1.b3 b6, you get a balanced-looking start with an early fight over the long diagonals. The position is White to move, but your choice of ...b6 has already shaped the game. In this drill, you will practise meeting White’s most common plans, see what the engine likes best, and learn which reply is a known mistake. Stay calm, develop smoothly, and be ready to answer White’s central play with good piece coordination.
Play the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position asks of Black
The key idea here is simple: both sides have fianchetto ambitions, and the game can become a contest over bishop activity and central space. Stockfish rates this +0.27, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. So your job is not to force tactics immediately, but to choose a setup that keeps your position solid and active while White decides how to build the centre.
The engine’s main idea
The engine’s best move here is e4, continuing e4 Bb7 Nc3 c5. That tells you the most energetic plan is to challenge White’s centre directly rather than passively waiting. In practical terms, you want to stay alert to central space, quick development, and long-diagonal pressure. This is a position where small inaccuracies can let White keep the easier game.
What White usually plays
The most-played continuation is Bb2, with 670,574 games and White scoring 50.1%. Other popular choices are g3, e3, Ba3, e4, and Nf3. The spread of answers shows that White has several natural developing moves, so you should be ready for a flexible middlegame rather than one forced line. Focus on sound development and on making White work for every advantage.
Watch for the known mistake
Ba3 is a known inaccuracy here and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was e4. That makes this a useful drill position: if White tries to aim too early at a direct idea, you get a chance to punish it by staying accurate yourself. Even when you do not win material outright, you can often gain the better game simply by meeting the centre correctly and keeping your pieces coordinated.
Results across 748,035 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bb2 | 670,574 | 50.1% |
| g3 | 16,621 | 46.9% |
| e3 | 13,299 | 48.7% |
| Ba3 | 8,852 | 45.3% |
| e4 | 7,266 | 46.8% |
| Nf3 | 6,380 | 50.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation good for Black?
In this position, the engine gives +0.27, which is a small edge for White. That means Black is a bit worse, so the opening is playable but not ideal for easy equality. Your best practical goal is to stay solid and meet White’s central play well.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is e4, and the continuation given is e4 Bb7 Nc3 c5. That shows the most active approach is to challenge the centre rather than sit back. In the drill, try to understand why that plan fits the position.
What do players most often choose for White?
The most-played continuation is Bb2, with 670,574 games and White scoring 50.1%. Other common choices are g3, e3, Ba3, e4, and Nf3. So you should be ready for several natural developing moves.
Which move should I punish if White makes a mistake?
Ba3 is listed as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns. The better move was e4. If White plays Ba3, treat it as a chance to take the initiative and keep your pieces active.
How many games feature the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation?
Over 748K Lichess games have reached the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation position. White wins 49.8%, Black wins 46.0%, with 4.3% draws — based on real rated games.