Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation: what should White play?

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation (ECO A01), White's primary continuation is Bb2, which accounts for 97.4% of games (11M recorded) and scores 51.2% with an engine evaluation of -0.05. Developing the bishop directly to b2 stakes an immediate claim along the long diagonal against Black's flexible setup. While the engine ranks the subtle developing move Nf3 identically at -0.05, it appears in only 0.5% of games (58K recorded) and scores 51.7%.

Strategic Purpose of the Fianchetto

White's most practical continuation is Bb2, completing the central concept initiated on the first move. Placing the b2 on the long diagonal exerts pressure toward the center and squares such as e5. An illustrative continuation runs Bb2 d5 e3 Bf5 Nf3 e6, in which both sides develop minor pieces naturally while White maintains a flexible pawn structure behind the fianchetto.

The Alternative Move Order with Nf3

Though played in only 0.5% of games, Nf3 serves as a viable transpositional tool with an identical engine evaluation of -0.05. It develops kingside minor pieces before committing the light-squared bishop, avoiding early central pawn commitments. An illustrative engine continuation follows Nf3 d5 Bb2 Bf5 e3 e6, arriving at the exact same pawn and piece configuration as the direct bishop move.

Other First-Line Options

White occasionally explores immediate central or flank thrusts, though these are far less frequent. The central push e3 is chosen in 1.3% of games (148K recorded), scoring 49.2% with an evaluation of -0.09 and illustrating play via e3 e5 Bb2 Nc6 Nf3 e4. Less frequently, White tests c4 (0.5% of games, 48.0% score, eval -0.24) or d4 (0.3% of games, 45.3% score, eval -0.18), steering the game toward hybrid setups.