Larsen Opening with 3...d5 and 4...Nge7

9/12/2025 – Having to play Black against the Larsen Defence (1.b3) can be quite unpleasant. This is because the white bishops on b2 and b5 love to attack the opponent's centre. In the main line with 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3, Petra Papp recommends the pawn sacrifice 3...d5 4.Bb5 Nge7!? in the current ChessBase Magazine #227. If White rejects the sacrifice with 5.Nf3, 5...e4 leads to an attractive position for Black. If White accepts the sacrifice with 5.Bxe5, they must part with their bishop pair after 5...a6... Papp: ‘There are many setups against the Larsen Defence, but I particularly like the pawn sacrifice 4...Nge7!?’ Take a look at the new CBM reading sample - on your iPad, tablet, smartphone or PC!