1.b3, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack

[CHVL]

1.b3 is an opening that could give an interesting middle-game by the opportunities it brings to the White.
GMs Rapport and Jobava regularly played this opening in tournament.
So, Jobava tested Carlsen with 1.b3 and was... crushed by the killer move Carlsen found to outplay him and finally to win the game.
The game is one of the shortest, if not the shortest of the career of Carlsen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUb76s1ZDb0

1. b3 g6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nc3 Qa5 7. a3 c6 8. e3 f5 9. g3 Bd6 10. Bg2 Nd7 11. Nge2 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. b4 Qd8 14. d4 Qe7 15. Rb1 a5 16. b5 Bxa3 17. bxc6 bxc6 18. Bxc6 Ra6 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Bb4 21. Nf4 Bd6 22. Qf3 a4 23. Rfc1 a3 24. Ba2 Ra7 25. Nd5 Qd8 26. h4 Be6 27. Kg2 h5 28. Nc3 Bxa2 29. Nxa2 Rc7 30. Qd5 Qa8 31. Qxa8 Rxa8 32. Rxc7 Bxc7 33. Kf3 Kf8 34. Ke2 Bd6 35. Kd3 Ke7 36. Rb7+ Ke6 37. Rb6 Ra7 38. Kc2 Kd7 39. Kb1 Kc7 40. Rb3 Rb7 41. Kc2 Rxb3 42. Kxb3 Kc6 43. Nc3 f6 44. Kc4 g5 45. f4 g4 46. Kb3 Bf8 47. Nb1 Bb4 48. Nc3 a2 49. Nxa2 Be1 50. Kc4 Bxg3 51. Nb4+ Kd6 52. Kd3 Bxh4 53. e4 fxe4+ 54. Kxe4 Bg3 55. f5 h4 56. Nd5 h3 0-1

Magnus at his best.
Enjoy.

Maurice