The Nimzo-Larsen Attack
The Nimzowitsch Defence, also known as the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, is a chess opening that is named after the Danish chess player and Grandmaster Aron Nimzowitsch. The opening is characterized by the moves 1.b3 and Nb2, which are played in order to control the center and develop the knight.
Who is Aron Nimzowitsch?
The Nimzowitsch Defence was first introduced by Aron Nimzowitsch in the early 20th century. Nimzowitsch was a leading chess theoretician and player of his time, and his ideas and concepts continue to influence chess to this day. He believed that control of the center was the key to winning in chess, and the Nimzowitsch Defence was one of his preferred ways of achieving this.
The Nimzowitsch Defence is considered to be a flexible and aggressive opening that can catch opponents off guard. The moves 1.b3 and Nb2 allow the player to control the center and develop their knight while also putting pressure on their opponent’s pawn structure. The opening also allows for the development of the dark-squared bishop, which can be used to attack the opponent’s king.
Advantages of the Nimzowitsch Defence
The Nimzowitsch Defence has several advantages over other openings. One of the main advantages is that it allows the player to control the center without committing their pawns, which can be useful in the endgame. The opening also allows for the development of the dark-squared bishop, which can be used to attack the opponent’s king. Additionally, the opening can be used to put pressure on the opponent’s pawn structure, which can lead to weaknesses and create opportunities for the player.
There are several popular variations of the Nimzowitsch Defence, including the Nimzo-Indian Defense, the Larsen Attack, and the Modern Defense. The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a popular variation of the Nimzowitsch Defence that is characterized by the moves 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3. The Larsen Attack is a variation of the Nimzowitsch Defence that is characterized by the moves 1.b3 Nf6 2.Bb2 e6. The Modern Defense is a variation of the Nimzowitsch Defence that is characterized by the moves 1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 c5.
The Nimzowitsch Defence has been played by many famous chess players throughout history, including Aron Nimzowitsch himself, Bent Larsen, and Garry Kasparov. All three of these players have had great success with the Nimzowitsch Defence, and their games have been studied and analyzed by chess players around the world.