♞Chess Trainer
A01bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the Larsen's Opening

A queenside fianchetto opening that attacks the center from a distance and preserves pawn flexibility. Black aims to occupy the center while preventing the long diagonal from becoming dominant.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

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

1.b31…e52.Bb22…Nc63.e33…Nf6

The idea

Why this opening works

The Larsen's Opening gives Black a clear route to occupy the center while preventing the long diagonal from becoming dominant. 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 6 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...e5

    e7 → e5

    e5 begins the Larsen's Opening plan: occupy the center while preventing the long diagonal from becoming dominant.

  2. Position 2 of 4

    2...Nc6

    b8 → c6

    Nc6 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  3. Position 3 of 4

    3...Nf6

    g8 → f6

    Nf6 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  4. Position 4 of 4

    2...d6

    d7 → d6

    d6 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

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
Line 21. b3 e5 2. Bb2 d6 3. e3 Nf6

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. Black aims to occupy the center while preventing the long diagonal from becoming dominant. The Larsen's Opening gives Black a clear route to occupy the center while preventing the long diagonal from becoming dominant. 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. 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 Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black 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

B20bSicilian DefenseFight for the initiative as Black with 1...c5 — asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5C00bFrench DefenseA resilient and strategic defense to 1.e4 with 1...e6.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+E60bKing's Indian DefenseA hypermodern defense — let White build the center, then counter-attack it.1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 Nbd7

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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