If White wishes to play the "Bird-Larsen" opening, he most often avoids the very direct 1.f4 d5 2.b3 move order. That is because Black has a chance to cut across this scheme with an early ...d5-d4, as in the game below. If the first player delays b2-b3 in favor of Kingside development, then Black can fianchetto with ...g7-g6 himself to hinder White's plan. In any case, those who play Bird's Opening have found ways to maneuver around this ...d5-d4 thrust, but an aggressive gambit alternative would be welcome too! Read more.