Nimzo-Larsen Attack: what should Black play?

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack after White fianchettoes early, Black achieves full equality with Nf6, which carries the top engine evaluation of -0.02. This flexible developing move controls central squares, prepares kingside castling, and avoids committing central pawns prematurely. Black may also contest the center directly with d5 or c5, both of which are fully viable alternatives.

The Strategic Value of Developing the Knight

Deploying the kingside knight with Nf6 appears in 19.3% of recorded games (1.15 million recorded), yielding a 52.9% scoring rate for White. By developing the knight toward the center, Black exerts immediate pressure on the key central squares while blunting the influence of the b2 bishop along the long diagonal. An illustrative engine continuation features Nf6 e3 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4, leading into balanced central play where Black claims equal space.

The Most Popular Alternative: Striking the Center

By far the most common choice in practice is d5, played in 72.9% of games (4.33 million recorded) with an engine evaluation of +0.04 and a 53.5% score for White. This classical occupation of the center directly confronts White's flank setup, often leading into variations such as d5 e3 Nf6 d4 Bd6 Nf3. The move solidifies space and creates natural development pathways for Black's minor pieces.

Flank and Wing Alternatives

Another reliable approach is c5, chosen in 7.8% of recorded games (466 thousand recorded), which evaluates at an exact +0.00 while White scores 53.2%. A primary engine line runs c5 e4 d5 exd5 exd5 Nf3. Less conventional flank moves like h6 (evaluating at +0.22) and a6 (+0.26) remain playable, though they yield minor initiative back to White in engine assessments compared to the immediate central development of Nf6.