Why the center?

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Elubas

Yes, 1 b3 controls the center, but it allows black to set up a solid block on e5 or even d5, so it doesn't offer the same chances of advantage of more aggressive first moves. 1 Nf3 though is very flexible as that knight being there is useful in most openings.

Elubas
Data_Pillars wrote:

I think the pawn is placed there to ensure maximum movement of the pieces. However, though they say that white has the initiative at the start, doesnt it just give the opponent the initiative by giving them a target? (the undefended pawn in the middle of the board) So maybe thats a factor in your games - the lack of a target.


Certainly that's one way to look at that, but in for example 1 e4 g6 white's center is a little more power usually doesn't fully equalize. But in fact in some weird cases it's an actual mistake to set up (or more often advance) a pawn center if the other side has his rooks on the center files and your king is still on e1. Then some sacrifice might be strong, destroying your center and opening up all those files for a big kingside attack.

vfedko

  If white makes 1.b3 it is very tough to play with black without any theoretical knowledge and memorizing countless variations and stuff.  So with b3 and then Bb2 creates alot of very uncomfortable situations on a1 - g8 diagonal.  So keeping dark square bishop (for  Black ) is very important.  main idea of whites bishop on a1-g8 is to hit center squares with pawns.

Elubas
vfedko wrote:

  If white makes 1.b3 it is very tough to play with black without any theoretical knowledge and memorizing countless variations and stuff.  So with b3 and then Bb2 creates alot of very uncomfortable situations on a1 - g8 diagonal.  So keeping dark square bishop (for  Black ) is very important.  main idea of whites bishop on a1-g8 is to hit center squares with pawns.


I completely disagree about it being hard for black. Without any book knowledge but a good knowledge of strategy, black will just set up a modest center (I don't think he should try to claim an actual advantage until later), get out his pieces and will be fine. One b2 bishop doesn't equal kingside attack, especially if black blocks it with ...e5.

qpalzm-blue
vfedko wrote:

  If white makes 1.b3 it is very tough to play with black without any theoretical knowledge and memorizing countless variations and stuff.  So with b3 and then Bb2 creates alot of very uncomfortable situations on a1 - g8 diagonal.  So keeping dark square bishop (for  Black ) is very important.  main idea of whites bishop on a1-g8 is to hit center squares with pawns.


I have played this opening for a pretty long time, so I know the variations, and other stuff. I do agree with you though

vighneshgrandmaster

i played both pawn at the centre and the centreles pawn position to experiment which one is good or bad,then i came to know that centreless pawn position leads to bad position even though i won that match i think centre less pawn leads to bad position!

CarlMI

I used to play the Nimzo-Larsen, to give 1. b3 its proper name, a couple decades ago, mainly to avoid opening theory.  It is OK.  I think there is better.  Given the statistics on who plays it and when I think most titled players agree with me.  It does not put white at a disadvantage but it does not preserve his advantage. The better player should still score more but it will be more difficult for White to win.

BTW Nf3 in its many subsequent forms (Reti, English, or other transposition) is a more respectable opening.  1. Nf3 immediately addresses the center.  1. b3 does not, it takes two moves and that is where white tosses much of his initial advantage.

qpalzm-blue
Skwerly wrote:

At 1100 you win most the games you play?  Who are you playing? 


I rarley play here,I am acctually 1300 and I play people my strength, they may also be going easier on me because they think im weaker