QGD: Lasker Defence, Main Line
QGD: Lasker Defence, Main Line
Definition
The Lasker Defence is a solid variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD) characterized by early simplification in the center. After the classical QGD position is reached, Black plays …h6 and …Ne4, voluntarily exchanging minor pieces to relieve central tension and head for an endgame where pawn structure and piece activity are balanced. “Main Line” refers to the most frequently played continuation, arising after:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7
Move Order & Main Ideas
- …h6 asks the g5-bishop to decide its intentions.
- …Ne4 attacks the bishop on g5/Bh4 and offers exchanges.
- After 8. Bxe7 Qxe7, Black plans …c6, …Nd7, and eventually …e5 or …c5 to equalize.
- White usually aims for a minority attack with b4–b5 or central play with e4.
Strategic Themes
Because so many pieces are swapped, the opening often transposes into IQP-free structures in which:
- Both sides maintain a symmetrical pawn center (d4 vs. d5, e3 vs. e6).
- Black’s bishop pair is exchanged, reducing potential long-term weakness of the light-squared bishop.
- Endgames are common; knowledge of rook and minor-piece endings is crucial.
- Typical breaks: White (e4, b4–b5); Black (…c5, …e5, …f5 in some cases).
Historical Significance
Named after the 2nd World Champion Emanuel Lasker, who introduced the idea in the 1890s as an antidote to the so-called “Tarrasch Terror.” Lasker favored practical, defensive setups that channel the game toward positions he understood better than his opponents.
Famous Games
- Lasker – Tarrasch, St. Petersburg 1914: Lasker neutralized Tarrasch’s pressure and won the resulting rook ending.
- Capablanca – Lasker, Havana 1921 (World Ch.): The defence held easily; the game was drawn in 14 moves, demonstrating its solidity.
- Kramnik – Anand, Bonn 2008 (WCh Game 3): Anand equalized smoothly and won, showing modern viability.
Model Line (PGN)
[[Pgn| d4|d5|c4|e6|Nc3|Nf6|Bg5|Be7|e3|O-O|Nf3|h6|Bh4|Ne4|Bxe7|Qxe7|cxd5|exd5|Nxd5|Qd6|Nc3|Nxc3|bxc3|c5|arrows|d5c4,c6d5|squares|d5,c4]]
Practical Tips
- As Black, avoid premature …c5 until your pieces are coordinated; otherwise dxc5 can leave you passive.
- As White, consider the minority attack (b4–b5) only if Black’s knight is not ready to occupy c4.
- Endgames with isolated queenside pawns (a7/c6) are tenable for Black; keep rooks active.
Interesting Facts
- Because of its drawish reputation, the Lasker Defence was long considered unambitious; however, it has resurfaced in elite play as an impeccably solid weapon against 1. d4.
- Garry Kasparov rarely faced it, preferring 4. cxd5 or the sharp 5. g4 against other QGD lines.
- The early queen exchange (Qd1–b3 ideas) can be countered by Black’s …dxc4 tactics, keeping the position balanced.