Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Move by Move

by Cyrus Lakdawala

This series provides an ideal platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to answer probing questions throughout the book, the Move by Move format greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and knowledge. The Nimzo-Larsen Attack is an ideal opening choice for players keen to avoid mainline theory but still wanting to set their opponents problems from the outset. In the Nimzo-Larsen, White begins 1 b3 and then develops in hypermodern fashion – planning to undermine any central structures Black dares to erect. A key attraction of the Nimzo-Larsen is that White can steer the game into either sharp play or elaborate strategic battles. In this book, International Master Cyrus Lakdawala invites you to join him in examining the many different variations of the Nimzo-Larsen. Lakdawala studies the typical plans and tactics for both sides, offers repertoire options for White, provides answers to all the key questions and tells you everything you need to know about playing the Nimzo-Larsen Attack.

Genres: Chess

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2013

Reviews

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking the "move by move" format of these books, I tried one describing an opening I've used for 40 years. I learned some new things, but a lot of page space was used up discussing a line I think is awfully risky without mentioning a few alternatives I've had success with. No matter, it was all very readable and I did learn enough to offset the book's cost.

[Ken Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyrus Lakdawala has written an excellent opening repertoire book on the offbeat Nimzo-Larsen attack. Ten chapters, sixty complete annotated games (plus a couple of bonus games), 424 pages. The prose is witty, sometimes over the top, but the analyses are always spot on. The system is complicated but easy to learn. If you play this opening over the board, there’s a chance most club players won’t know what to do, at least on the intermediate level. I certainly recommend this as a surprise weapon, especially on shorter time controls, always assuming you know the opening yourself.

There are some annoying typos in the book and a few words that have accidentally been typed twice in a row. However, I don’t feel that this warrants the removal of a full star.

Lakdawala gives the reader problems to solve during every single game, for example: "Exercise (combination alert): Black’s infiltration attempt contains a huge flaw. How did White purge himself of the vile parasite on d3?"

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to play this system a lot, just for the fun of it.