Play 1.b3!: The Nimzo-larsen Attack: A Friend For Life

The popularity of this offbeat system is largely based on its surprise value, but in fact 1.b3 is one of White's more logical first moves. In playing this opening (the choice of famous creative attackers such as Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen and Julian Hodgson) White avoids the many theoretical landmines of main line openings and is able to steer the game towards an open battle, right from the start. This system's basic ideas are sound and easy to learn. One of its beauties is that it often provokes an overreaction by Black, leaving it vulnerable to an early knockout by White.