The Lasker trap is lesson 7 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 1: classic traps, an opening course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Albin Countergambit, D08. Black leaves a bishop, marches a pawn to g1 and makes a knight. It has 4 interactive exercises: 4 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Albin Countergambit. White blocked your check with Bd2. Your pawn on d4 is ready to strike on e3. About 276,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
dxe3! You leave your bishop on b4. The pawn on e3 now hits d2 and f2.
After Bxb4, exf2 check forces the king to e2. Then the pawn takes on g1 and becomes a knight, with check. If Rxg1, Bg4 check wins White's queen. Black is winning.
Recap.
After e3 in the Albin, Bb4 check and dxe3 set the trap.
If Bxb4, exf2 check, and fxg1 makes a knight with check.
Promote to a knight when the knight gives check.
If fxe3, the queen checks from h4.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Albin Countergambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White blocked your check with Bd2. Leave your bishop, and push the d-pawn into e3.
White takes back with the f-pawn instead. Now the line from h4 to e1 is open. Check the king.
White takes the pawn with the king. But that leaves the queen on d1 with no guard. Take it.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Albin Countergambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers Bd2. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White blocked your check with Bd2. Leave your bishop, and push the d-pawn into e3. That is the Lasker trap. The pawn ends on g1 as a knight, with check, and Black wins.
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