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

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation, White faces a solid but somewhat passive setup from Black characterized by the move f6. The engine's highest-rated continuation is Nc3, which carries an evaluation of +0.60 and focuses on central control while preparing for the development of the kingside. Although Bb2 is the most frequent choice in the database, appearing in 66.1% of the 17,470 recorded games, Nc3 offers a statistically sound approach to maintaining the initiative.

The Strategic Role of Nc3

The move Nc3 is the engine's preferred choice, played in 10.5% of games with a 52.1% success rate for White. By developing the knight to the c3 square, White exerts immediate pressure on the center and prepares for the main line Nc3 Bb4 Nd5 Bf8 e4 Bc5. This approach often leads to a transpositional battle where White seeks to exploit the slight weaknesses created by Black's early pawn move to f6.

The Popularity of Bb2

Despite the engine's preference for development of the knight, the vast majority of practitioners opt for Bb2. This move accounts for 13,000 recorded games (66.1%) and maintains a strong win rate of 54.7%. The move follows the core philosophy of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack by fianchettoing the queen's bishop to pressure the long diagonal. The most common continuation following this move is Bb2 d5 cxd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qf7, where White gains a tempo on the black queen while developing the queenside.

Central Alternatives and Transpositions

White may also consider e3 or d4 to solidify the center. The move e3 has been played in 6.1% of games and boasts the highest win percentage among the top five moves at 54.8%. It typically leads to lines such as e3 d5 cxd5 Ne7 e4 c6, where White establishes a robust central presence. Meanwhile, d4 offers a more classical approach, though it scores slightly lower at 48.6% in the 620 games where it has been employed.