Chess Openings Lab
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Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation

The Lasker Variation is 5...Bg4 6.h3 in the Scandinavian with ...Qa5, where White asks the pinning bishop to decide at once. Black can trade on f3, retreat to f5 or go back to d7, and each choice gives White a slightly different edge.

Moves
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3
ECO
B01
Engine
+1.02 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
284 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3, the queen eyes b7 and White can castle long after Bd2.
  • If Black retreats with 6...Bf5, gain space with g4 and h4, then reroute the knight via d2 to c4.
  • Against 6...Bd7, play Ne5 and Nc4 to hit the a5 queen and gain more time.
  • The bishop pair matters: keep the position open once Black gives up the light bishop.

Black

  • Trading with 6...Bxf3 is Black's best and keeps the structure simple after ...c6 and ...e6.
  • Develop the b8 knight to d7 and castle short, keeping the queen safe on c7 or b6.
  • Answer White's long castling with ...b5 or ...c5 pawn advances on the queenside.
  • Avoid 6...Bf5 if you dislike being pushed around by g4 and h4 on the kingside.

Plans and pawn structure

If Black trades on f3, White gets the two bishops and an active queen on f3, while Black's structure with ...c6 and ...e6 is solid. White often castles long after Bd2 and pushes on the kingside, using the bishop pair. Black finishes with ...Nbd7, ...Be7 and castles short, then looks for ...c5 or ...b5. In the other lines, the bishop is chased with g4 or the knight hits the queen, and White gains space.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.02: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +1.02 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.O-O-O
  2. +1.38 6...Bf5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Nd2 Nbd7 9.h4
  3. +1.38 6...Bd7 7.Ne5 e6 8.Nc4 Qb4 9.Be2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

284 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.6%.

1200–159949.1%
1600–199952.2%
2000 and up52.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As Black, take on f3 with 6...Bxf3 and play ...c6, ...Nbd7 and ...e6. Do not let White gain time with g4 and h4 against a bishop on g6. Keep the queen safe from Bd2 and Nd5 tricks, and castle short before White's attack starts.

Questions

What are the moves of the Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation?

The Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation starts 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3. Its ECO code is B01.

Is the Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.02 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 284 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.6%. A practical line for White players who like the bishop pair, while Black needs to know that ...Bxf3 is the safest choice.

What is the main idea of the Scandinavian Defense: Lasker Variation?

White questions the g4 bishop with h3, and Black must choose between trading on f3 or retreating. The trade on f3 is usually best, giving White the bishop pair but Black a solid structure.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bxf3, with Bf5 and Bd7 close behind. 6...Bxf3 trades the bishop at once and avoids being chased by g4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.