Nimzovich-Larsen attack - Polish variation

The Nimzovich-Larsen Attack, Polish Variation is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. b3 e52. Bb2 Nc63. e3 Nf64. c4

This is the Polish Variation, which is named after the country where it was first analyzed and played. The Nimzovich-Larsen Attack itself is named after two chess players, Aron Nimzowitsch and Bent Larsen, who both used it successfully in their games.

Reasons to play the Nimzovich-Larsen Attack, Polish Variation:

1. Unconventional: It's not as common as openings like the Sicilian Defence or the French Defence, so your opponents may not be familiar with it, which can give you an advantage.

2. Flexible: The opening allows for a lot of flexibility. White can choose to play positionally or tactically, depending on how Black responds.

3. Control of Center: White aims to control the center with pawns and pieces, rather than occupying it directly. This can lead to a solid position with good prospects for a slow, strategic game.

4. Avoids Mainline Theory: If you're tired of studying endless variations in more popular openings, the Nimzovich-Larsen Attack can be a refreshing change.

Reasons to avoid the Nimzovich-Larsen Attack, Polish Variation:

1. Slow Development: White's development can be a bit slow, as the bishop is developed before the knights. This can give Black opportunities for a quick attack if not handled carefully.

2. Less Studied: While this can be an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage. There's less analysis and fewer high-level games to study, so you may have to do more independent analysis.

3. Risk of Overextension: White's pawn structure can become overextended if not careful, leading to weaknesses that Black can exploit.

4. Not Suitable for Quick Mate: If you're looking for an opening that leads to quick, tactical mates, this might not be the best choice. It's more suited to slow, strategic games.