What is your favourite response to 1.b3?

I have problems with all the classical recommended lines. I like this Bd6+Qe7, seems to resolve some issues which I have experienced in other setups.

Hard to imagine that White has accumulated a lot of experience against it...

@Professor74 said in #38:
> @Sarg0n @MaxBouaraba @nhl_1 Interesting question. I played Komodo 12.1.1 against Stockfish 14.1 (both 64-bit, time control 40/1500+10) and got this game:

I have never seen or met Na3, typical computer move, however taking on a3 is fine but also Qe7 or f6 are playable.

@MaxBouaraba said in #42:
> I have never seen or met Na3, typical computer move, however taking on a3 is fine but also Qe7 or f6 are playable.

@MaxBouaraba I ordered both programs to make the following moves: 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Bd6 3.Na3 Bxa3 4.Bxa3 -- Therefore 3.Na3 was not Komodo's idea. I got the idea from a question asked by @Sarg0n -- Beginning with 4...d6 both programs played on their own. I agree with you that exchanging pieces on a3 is good.

@MaxBouaraba said in #40:
> You simply wait with c6 untill it's a good move to play. Try Qe7 after e3 for example. c6 is not a must. In some lines even Nc6 is better.

3...Qe7 is an interesting move indeed, but to me it seems that after 4.Nc3 white still has the initiative, for example 4...c6 5.Qg4 and Black has to play 5...Kf8 because if 5...f6 then 6.Ne4 Bc7 6.Ba3, no?

@Professor74 said in #43:
> @MaxBouaraba I ordered both programs to make the following moves: 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Bd6 3.Na3 Bxa3 4.Bxa3 -- Therefore 3.Na3 was not Komodo's idea. I got the idea from a question asked by @Sarg0n -- From 4...d6 both programs played on their own. I agree with you that exchanging pieces on a3 is good.

It's maybe not in the idea of black to give his bishop pair that early, but other moves are leading into complicated play while black still sooner or later will have to trade his black squared bishop. Wondering what the founder of Bd6 (I think some russian IM...) would say to Na3. Practically speaking, no white player will find Na3 over the board. It's to unusual for b3 players. However, lately I more like to play like carlsen against b3 with g6, Bb2 Nf6, Bf6 ef6, c4 d5, cd5 Qd5, Nc3 Qa5, a3 c5... I like this position very much for black.

@MaxBouaraba said in #45:
> It's maybe not in the idea of black to give his bishop pair that early, but other moves are leading into complicated play while black still sooner or later will have to trade his black squared bishop. Wondering what the founder of Bd6 (I think some russian IM...) would say to Na3. Practically speaking, no white player will find Na3 over the board. It's to unusual for b3 players. However, lately I more like to play like carlsen against b3 with g6, Bb2 Nf6, Bf6 ef6, c4 d5, cd5 Qd5, Nc3 Qa5, a3 c5... I like this position very much for black.

I saw Na3 instantly. It’s a point directed against Bd6 like here:

lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/what-is-your-favourite-response-to-1b3?page=2#14

All in all, 2...Bd6 is not the best line. Black can draw with perfect play, but it is difficult.

@nhl_1 said in #47:
> All in all, 2...Bd6 is not the best line. Black can draw with perfect play, but it is difficult.

2...Bd6 is valid anyway. However, 2...Nc6 seems to lead to more solid structures.

@Professor74 said in #1:
> Against the Larsen's Opening there are some interesting responses. 1...e5 and 1...d5 are the most common. 1...e5, the Modern Variation, limits the scope of the white bishop after 2.Bb2 Nc6; and 1...d5, the Classical Variation, preserves the option to develop the black bishop to g7 to oppose the white one. What is your favourite response to 1.b3?

I used to always play it. I would say d5 is more annoying and e5 gives white some trap options.