Yea it is called the Nimzovich - Larsen opening named after the two players who made it famous.
The most played move after is 1..e5 though d5, Nf6 are options too.
One line that appeals to me might go:
1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d6
What's a good response to 1.b3?
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That variation looks interesting.
1.b3 is more or less a respectable attempt to avoid theory and play chess. B can react in a dozen of ways, but has to be careful not to enter a reversed nimzo indian setup when the extra tempo is very useful for W. One bizarre defense(not my recommendation but very funny to see!) is...to copy the opponent moves! It might seem strange but for example 1.b3 b6 2.Bb2 Bb3 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.c4 c5 5.Nc3 Nc6 and so on is always =. W has fery few ways to break simmetry.
bresando wrote:
1.b3 is more or less a respectable attempt to avoid theory and play chess. B can react in a dozen of ways, but has to be careful not to enter a reversed nimzo indian setup when the extra tempo is very useful for W. One bizarre defense(not my recommendation but very funny to see!) is...to copy the opponent moves! It might seem strange but for example 1.b3 b6 2.Bb2 Bb3 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.c4 c5 5.Nc3 Nc6 and so on is always =. W has fery few ways to break simmetry.
Interesting and funny!
1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bd6 is considered miserable for white.
Against 1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Nf6 3.Bb2 Bf5 4.e3 e6 and a reversed London is considered critical against that move order, so far as I know.
One or the other of those ought to make life interesting for you if you have to fight this opening often.
I played black against it last night, went down by a pawn and lost in the end game. It's one of those openings you don't really learn - at least I haven't - because you don't see it very often.