Sicilian Defense: Lasker–Dunne Attack
Sicilian Defense: Lasker–Dunne Attack
Definition
The Lasker–Dunne Attack is a side-line of the Sicilian Defense in which White, after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6, refrains from the mainstream 3. d4 or 3. Nc3 and instead plays 3. c3. By postponing the Alapin-style pawn advance to the third move, White first provokes the “French” pawn …e6, limiting Black’s dark-squared bishop and steering the game away from razor-sharp Najdorf, Dragon or Sveshnikov theory. The name commemorates World Champion Emanuel Lasker, who employed the idea at the turn of the 20th century, and Irish-American master William Dunne, another early adopter.
Typical Move-Order
The most common sequence is:
- e4 c5
- Nf3 e6
- c3 (the hallmark of the Lasker–Dunne Attack)
Black’s main replies are:
- 3…d5 – an immediate French-like strike at the center.
- 3…Nf6 – hitting e4 first; after 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Black can transpose into a Caro-Kann structure.
- 3…Nc6 – keeping options flexible, sometimes heading for …d5 only after developing.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Delayed Alapin Structure. White still intends d4, but wants the extra tempo obtained by having Black commit to …e6.
- French Advance Themes. If Black chooses 3…d5 4. e5, White enjoys space on the kingside, clamps the d6-square and can later attack with Bd3, 0-0, Re1, h4-h5, or f4-f5.
- Piece Play over Theory. The line is strategically rich yet comparatively under-analysed, attractive to players wishing to leave well-trodden Najdorf paths.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Central Counter-Thrust. 3…d5 is the most principled, immediately challenging the c-pawn and seeking rapid piece activity.
- Caro-Kann Transpositions. 3…Nf6 followed by …d5 can shift the game into familiar Caro-Kann territory where Black’s structure is sound.
- Rapid Development. Because White has not yet developed the queen’s bishop, Black can sometimes seize the initiative with …Nc6, …Nf6, …d6, and …Be7/…Bd6 followed by castling.
Historical Background
Emanuel Lasker experimented with the early c3 idea in several exhibitions and casual games in the 1890s, valuing its solid positional nature. William (Bill) Dunne popularized it in American tournaments in the first decades of the 20th century, often steering opponents away from their beloved Open Sicilian systems. Although seldom seen in contemporary elite play, it occasionally surfaces as a surprise weapon; grandmasters such as Alexander Morozevich and Santosh Gupta have revived it in rapid or blitz events.
Illustrative Mini-Game
In the following rapid encounter the basic themes are on full display:
[[Pgn|1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Nf6 7.O-O Bd6 8.Re1+ Be6 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Nd4 O-O 11.Be3 Qb6 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.b4 Bxd4 14.Bxd4 Qd8 15.Nd2|fen|r2q1rk1/pp3ppp/2p1bn2/2P5/1P1N4/4B3/P2N1PPP/R2QR1K1 |arrows|e4c5,d4d5|squares|d4,c5]]White accepted an isolated pawn but gained open lines for the bishops and quick development—typical of the line. The modest third-move pawn already forced Black into a structure quite unlike most Sicilians.
Pros and Cons Summary
- Pros for White
- Sidesteps vast Najdorf/Dragon/Sveshnikov theory.
- Gets a French-Advance setup while keeping the c-pawn flexible.
- Confers surprise value; many Black players are unprepared.
- Cons for White
- Yielding the center early can allow immediate counterplay.
- Fewer chances for the dynamic, open lines some Sicilian players crave.
- Black can equalize fairly comfortably with precise play.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Emanuel Lasker supposedly used the move order in casual games against his students, quipping that “nothing confuses a theorist more than a quiet pawn.”
- William Dunne’s most-quoted win with the line came in New York 1911, where he defeated the noted attacking master Frank Marshall in only 24 moves after Marshall over-pressed against the solid pawn chain.
- Because the ECO code B40 covering this attack is also shared by several distinctly different Sicilians, modern databases often label it simply as “Sicilian, French Variation” rather than by its historical name, contributing to its relative obscurity today.
When to Add the Lasker–Dunne Attack to Your Repertoire
Choose this line if you:
- want to meet 2…e6 systems with a positional setup similar to the French;
- prefer to reduce theoretical workload while retaining winning chances;
- enjoy maneuvering, central tension, and long-term pawn-chain plans.