Nimzo–Larsen Attack Chess Opening: Tactics and Strategy
What you'll learn
- Ability to have a full repertoire with White based on 1.b3
- Ability to create unusual problems for opponents in the Opening phase
- Ability to understand key example games from key exponents including Larsen and Nimzovich
- Ability to win more easily with the White pieces
- Ability to have a surprise weapon to switch to when frustrated with more mainline openings
- Ability to get opponent's improvising and losing time on the clock which is especially dangerous at faster time controls
- Ability to take seriously an unusual system many opponent's have not taken seriously and not researched and therefore often improvise badly
- Ability to have a cute little Star-Wars fan "R2-D2" robot in the form of the b2 bishop on your chessboard "spaceship" with the ability to strike things :)
- Ability to have a fantastic weapon especially for faster time controls such as blitz because opponent's often forced to improvise on their own resources
- Ability to set up opposite side castling scenarios with great examples from Bent Larsen and other key exponents
- Ability to see as of time of course a weapon of super GM Richard Rapport - Rank #11 in the world - scores over 35% with 1.b3
- Ability to see as of time of course a weapon of super GM Hikaru Nakamura - Rank #1 on FIDE Blitz Chess rankings scoring overall over 58% with White
- Ability to research something he opponent cannot avoid. No wasted research time on something that might not turn up on the board
- Ability to have a secret weapon with informational advantage that can get much bigger advantages often than "main lines"
- Ability to set up a "goal hanging" resouces analogous to "Thorn pawn" which lurks around opponent's King if they castle Kingside
- Ability to have very fast zaps in faster time controls based on the "Goal hanging" Bb2 resource
- Ability to absorb positional patterns and themes from the example variations within games as well as the example games themselves
- Ability to see how Magnus Carlsen - the current world chess champion has used 1.b3 crushingly against super grandmasters such as Wesley So
- Ability to easily research often opposite side castling scenarios which can be huge fun to play from
- Ability to learn a great day from classic Nimzovich games who used the 1. Nf3 then b3 move order in many games - one of the strongest players in the world
- Ability to appreciate more the hard reality of pawns not being able to go backwards, and Nimzovich tickling pawns with knight moves based on this
- Ability to appreciate a "Hypermodern" opening and its influence over the center through control rather than occupation
- Ability to be inspired by many beautiful game examples especially on how the b2 bishop can be liberated, magnified, exploited & when departed give advantage
- Ability to spice up or transpose into the English opening with the inclusion of b3
- Ability to see how multiple world champions have made use of b3 - directly or indirectly to create wonderful possibilities and game victories
- Ability to spice up or transpose into the Reti Opening 1. Nf3 with 1. b3 later - the Classical variation - avoiding 1.b3 e5 variations
- Ability to spice up or transpose into the Bird's Opening with 1. b3 later - and contribute more to dark square grip strategy
- Ability to spice up or transpose into the King's Indian Attack with Queenside bishop fianchetto later - double fianchetto helps control central squares
- Ability to spice up or transpose into 1.g3 - Benko's opening with Queenside bishop fianchetto later - double fianchetto situation helps control central squares
Requirements
- Know how the chess pieces move
Description
Discover the strategic depth of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack in our course 'Nimzo–Larsen Attack Chess Opening with FIDE CM Kingscrusher'. This potent chess opening, characterized by the initial move 1.b3, is as versatile as it is intriguing, capable of delivering wins against any countermove by your opponent. This course presents the tools you need to master this opening, imparting knowledge directly from FIDE CM Kingscrusher.
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack is a novel, flank opening move which prepares to fianchetto the Queen's bishop, adding intriguing layers to the game. Not only does it position the player to exert control over the dark squares, it also facilitates attacks if the opponent decides to castle on the Kingside.
This opening carries the name of two chess legends: Aron Nimzowitsch, the groundbreaking 'Hypermodern' thinker who authored 'My System', an iconic book that continues to influence generations of players, and Bent Larsen, the esteemed Danish grandmaster who was a contemporary of Bobby Fischer. The course takes an in-depth look at their legacies, giving students historical context to the opening.
Kingscrusher's fascination with the Nimzo-Larsen Attack grew after witnessing its successful deployment by Super-Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura during the ICC Blitz Chess Open in 2011. Despite its underdog status in some circles, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack has proven its worth repeatedly, even in high-level games. Bobby Fischer himself used it to spectacular effect in 1970, winning all five games where he utilized it.
Today, the opening finds proponents among Grandmasters such as Vladimir Bagirov, Baadur Jobava, Hikaru Nakamura, Richard Rapport, and Adhiban Baskaran. Its potency as a surprise weapon in opening repertoires and its usefulness in faster time controls makes it a compelling choice for both International Masters and Grandmasters.
This course will guide you in exploring the unique potential of the Nimzo-Larsen Attack, enabling you to gain tangible advantages right from the opening. Its distinctive classification in online databases allows you to study games from modern exponents, further enriching your understanding of this creative and effective opening.
Who this course is for:
- Beginner to Intermediate players
Instructor
Dive deep into the intellectual universe of chess with Tryfon Gavriel, famously known to enthusiasts as "Kingscrusher." Beyond my titles as a FIDE Candidate Master and British Regional Chess Master, I am a dedicated chess educator, committed to spreading knowledge and passion for the game.
Decades of Strategic Pursuits My engagement with chess is a 35-year-long odyssey marked by competitive achievements both online and offline, including a peak ICC blitz rating of 2625 and an exceptional ECF grading of 212. My early triumph in the Lloyds Under 18 national UK tournament back in 1989 set the stage for a life steeped in chess, culminating in numerous top finishes in Lichess marathons and more. A statistical blog on lichess indicates :
"CM @Kingscrusher-YouTube has been an icon on Lichess for over a decade, as a chess streamer and as a very active player on Lichess. He is currently in 2nd place in overall trophies in all arenas (behind the unstoppable @Hoegi), he has many top 10 places in various rankings, and he has been racking up marathon trophies on his profile as well." - blog titled: "lichess-arena-rankings" (2024)
Udemy's Chess Luminary While I once enjoyed sharing insights and high-level analysis on my YouTube channel, my current passion lies in crafting comprehensive chess courses for Udemy. My dedication has been recognized with the "highest-rated" award for my detailed course on José Raúl Capablanca's strategies and the "Best Seller" accolade for my "Complete Guide to Chess Tactics," which garnered widespread acclaim shortly after its debut.
Teaching that Transforms Teaching chess goes beyond explaining moves on a board. For me, it's about igniting a passion for the sport and developing a deep, enduring understanding of strategic thinking and tactical decision-making. And it is about giving students the necessary chess abilities and skills that they can make use of in every single game they play. Courses such as the best selling "The complete guide to Chess Tactics" and "The complete guide to chess visualisation". There are also some courses based on champions. Drawing inspiration from chess titans like Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine, Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov, my courses offer more than knowledge—they provide a window into the minds of chess's greatest masters.
Your Journey Towards Chess Mastery My offerings on Udemy are designed for learners at all stages of their chess journey. Whether you're just starting or seeking advanced strategies, my courses are a gateway to deeper comprehension and appreciation of chess. Through meticulously designed lessons, I aim to equip you with the skills, confidence, and strategic acumen to elevate your game.
Join me in this exploration of chess, delving into the intricacies that make it a timeless classic. With each lesson, we'll unravel the complexities and joys of chess, fostering not just better players, but lifelong enthusiasts.