1...d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5: Lasker Variation is variation 2 of 6 in the Bird Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A03). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. b3 Nc6 …. Black takes queenside space with ...c5 and pins the f3 knight with ...Bg4. White breaks the pin, jumps to e5 and takes back on e5 with the f-pawn. White gets space and a half-open f-file. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. f4 – The Bird Opening. White controls e5.
1... d5 – Black takes the centre.
2. Nf3 – White develops and guards e5 again.
2... Nf6 – Black develops and covers e4.
3. e3 – White opens the f1 bishop.
3... c5 – The Lasker Variation. Black takes space on the queenside.
4. b3 – White prepares the bishop on b2, where it watches e5.
4... Nc6 – Black develops and covers e5 and d4.
5. Bb2 – The bishop takes the long diagonal.
5... Bg4 – Black develops the bishop and pins the f3 knight to the queen.
6. Be2 – White breaks the pin and gets ready to castle.
6... e6 – Black opens the f8 bishop.
7. O-O – White castles.
7... Be7 – Black gets ready to castle.
8. Ne5 – The knight jumps to e5. It attacks the g4 bishop and the c6 knight.
8... Bxe2 – Black trades the bishops.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM