Chess Opening | Larsen's Opening.

So yea I pretty much decided that my main defence in black will be sicilian (closed veriation) or dragon, and I've tried to decide what should I play in white.

Now I've noticed that I like it when I have the control over the game, which means for me that the e4/e5 openings aren't all that good because it lets the opponent divert the game as he wishes.
Now I've tested the English opening veriations and tried it but the results weren't all that good, they weren't good at all.
So yea, I've started searching for other, less common openings.
I ran into some games of this guy named Larsen, and saw his opening ideas for b3 as the first move.
Now I'de like to test it soon and I've been woundering if you guys could give me any tips about playing the Larsen's opening better, or any opinions or self-experience, I'de like to hear.
Thanks.

Originally posted by Lidan
So yea I pretty much decided that my main defence in black will be sicilian (closed veriation) or dragon, and I've tried to decide what should I play in white.

Now I've noticed that I like it when I have the control over the game, which means for me that the e4/e5 openings aren't all that good because it lets the opponent divert the game as he wishes.
Now ...[text shortened]... en's opening better, or any opinions or self-experience, I'de like to hear.
Thanks.

Those positional openings are played by the masters for a reason...they are masters.

To each his own but slow openings will eventually bore the hell out of you.
The only fun line in 1.b3 is when black plays ...e5 and...d5 or ...d5 and...c5.

You won't see much of that though. You'll see defensive strategies with ...e5 and...d6 or ...e5...Nc6...and Nf6.

Those defensive strategies leave white with nothing to attack.
The whole Idea of a hypermodern opening is to attack the center from the flanks...what if there is no center? Lame boring chess.

To each his own though.

If by control you mean that your opponent can't go into his pet defense, then any off beat opening will work. You might want to consider playing the Polar Bear, which is nothing more than the Bird re-packaged, perhaps with some new ideas. You can watch videos on the opening on youtube.

Originally posted by Eladar
You can watch videos on the opening on youtube.

Those are Larsen games, but none of them were when he played 1.b3.

I play the Nimzo-Larsen and I like it. I've atill got a lot to learn, but I find I generally like the positions I end up getting into.

I'd say play 1.d4 2.c4 followed by the Dev. the knights. It's very easy and very good! much better than 1.b3. And easier to play than the english.

Originally posted by Maxacre42
I'd say play 1.d4 2.c4 followed by the Dev. the knights. It's very easy and very good!

I can sell it to you for $39.95

I do play it as White occasionally (against either Junior or very old opponents’ who for some reason don’t seem to have a clue what to do against it) It’s all right, and surprisingly full of early tactics if Black tries to get a big centre - it’s amazing how many people simply forget about the Bishop on b2 and play e5 just loosing a Rook (obviously when they have moved their own dark squared bishop). The Bishop pin on the Knight at c6 after d5 has been played, can lead to some traps as well.

On the downside it is basically a waste of the White pieces - playing 1.b3 immediately gives up any advantage of the first move. The opening greatly relies on it’s element of surprise - if Black knows what he / she is doing, then there are several conservative but solid ways Black can play and before you know it you are holding you’re hand out and accepting a quick draw - or worse toppling you’re King because you’ve had to run outrageous risks in an effort to get some kind of attack going. Put it this way, for me the Nimzo-Larsen is strictly an OTB opening - you won’t find me playing it on RHP.

Furthermore there isn’t much reading material on it - I learned the opening from probably the best book on the Market “Nimzo-Larsen Attack” by Jonathan Tait, published by Everyman Chess. It tells you everything you need to know, but it is EXTREAMLY boring - looking back through it, I’ve no idea how I managed to read it cover-to-cover, because I certainly wouldn’t have the patience now.

There is a good Keene book on it from the late 70’s (This was the days before Ray was putting out a random book every month - Samurai Chess: mastering the art of the mind - I ask you!) but it’s a bit dated in terms of lines now.

There is also a relatively new one called “Play 1.b3” by Ilya Odessky, I can’t really comment on that one as I’ve only had a flick through it once on the Chess stall at a congress, but I’ve heard it leaves some holes.

As a final through here is one of my favourite games, where Larsen makes the damn fool mistake of playing 1.b3 against Spassky and it swiftly crushed with a wonderful Rook sac 😉

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1128831

The move 3.c4 by Larsen was considered an early blunder back then, but it seems to be coming into fashion recently! Personally I can't see anything more illogical as he is blocking in the Bishop on f1 which is crucial to the attack in the Nimzo-Larsen.

Originally posted by Borgov
[pgn]larsen_spassky_1970[/pgn]

Originally posted by heinzkat
Pgn FAIL 😛

Originally posted by Borgov
I’ve noticed you’re incredibly witty comments

Originally posted by heinzkat
Spelling FAIL 😕

Originally posted by Borgov
Erm... which word exactly 😕