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

In the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation, White's most statistically successful and popular option is e3, played in 44.5% of recorded games (53K recorded) with an engine evaluation of +0.10. This flexible pawn push blunts Black's central presence while preparing kingside piece development and securing a solid 54.7% score for White.

The strategic role of e3

By playing e3, White controls key central squares like d4 and clears the path for the light-squared bishop to enter play. An illustrative engine continuation demonstrates a typical setup: e3 Nf6 Nc3 g6 Nf3 Bg7. White retains flexible pawn structures while keeping the long diagonal open for the b2, harmonizing development across both flanks.

The flexible knight alternatives

Developing the knights immediately offers viable setups that transpose frequently into similar structures. The move Nc3 is the second most common choice, occurring in 32.2% of games (39K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.11 and an identical 54.7% score, often continuing Nc3 g6 e3 Nf6 Nf3 Bg7. Alternatively, Nf3 scores 53.8% across 10.9% of games (13K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.12, leading into lines like Nf3 g6 e3 Bg7 Be2 Nf6. Both developments contest central squares without committing the central pawns prematurely.

Quieter pawn continuations

White also tests slower pawn thrusts, though they score somewhat lower in practice. The move d3 accounts for 8.5% of games (10K recorded) with an even evaluation of +0.00 and a 51.3% score, seen in lines like d3 d5 cxd5 Qxd5 Nd2 Be6. Finally, the wing advance a3 is found in 3.9% of games (4.7K recorded), scoring 52.4% with a +0.02 evaluation before transitioning into a3 g6 e3 Bg7 Nc3 Nf6.