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Learn the Larsen's Opening

A queenside fianchetto opening that attacks the center from a distance and preserves pawn flexibility. White aims to use the b2 bishop to pressure e5 and choose the center later.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3

1.b31…e52.Bb22…Nc63.e33…Nf64.Nf3

The idea

Why this opening works

The Larsen's Opening gives White a clear route to use the b2 bishop to pressure e5 and choose the center later. Its recurring positions revolve around the b2 diagonal, flexible pawn breaks, and central restraint, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 7 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 4 positions

  1. Position 1 of 4

    1.b3

    b2 → b3

    b3 begins the Larsen's Opening plan: use the b2 bishop to pressure e5 and choose the center later.

  2. Position 2 of 4

    2.Bb2

    c1 → b2

    Bb2 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  3. Position 3 of 4

    3.e3

    e2 → e3

    e3 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  4. Position 4 of 4

    4.Nf3

    g1 → f3

    Nf3 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3
Line 21. b3 e5 2. Bb2 d6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3

Quick answers

Larsen's Opening questions

What is the Larsen's Opening?

A queenside fianchetto opening that attacks the center from a distance and preserves pawn flexibility. White aims to use the b2 bishop to pressure e5 and choose the center later. The Larsen's Opening gives White a clear route to use the b2 bishop to pressure e5 and choose the center later. Its recurring positions revolve around the b2 diagonal, flexible pawn breaks, and central restraint, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Larsen's Opening?

This trainer starts with 1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Larsen's Opening good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

C50Italian GameClassic development with Bc4 targeting f7. Solid and principled.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5C60Ruy LopezOne of the oldest and most respected openings, pressuring the knight defending e5.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3D06Queen's GambitWhite offers a pawn to gain central control. A cornerstone of 1.d4 play.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Bd3

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Larsen's Opening from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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