Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack

The Lasker-Dunne Attack is 2.g3, preparing a kingside fianchetto with Bg2 against the Sicilian. White wants a closed setup with Ne2 and castling, while Black can choose an early ...d5 to open the center or a mirror ...g6 and ...Bg7 plan.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.g3
ECO
B20
Engine
−0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,043 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Bg2, Ne2 and castle short, keeping f4 or d3 in reserve depending on Black's setup.
  • Against ...d5, d3 keeps the center solid, and after the queen trade Be3 and Nc3 give a balanced ending.
  • a4 is a useful waiting move that stops ...b5 and gives a square for a knight on b5.
  • The Ne2 knight leaves f2 free for a later f4 push supporting e5.

Black

  • 2...d5 hits e4 at once; after d3 dxe4 dxe4 Qxd1+ Kxd1, White's king has lost castling rights.
  • A ...Nc6, ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...d6 setup copies White and fights for d4 with pieces.
  • Use ...Rb8 and ...b5 ideas on the queenside while White plays on the kingside.
  • Keep the c5 pawn and the d4 square under control so White's c3 and d4 plan never arrives.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a closed Sicilian structure. White aims for Bg2, Ne2, castling, then f4 and a kingside pawn push, sometimes with a4 to slow Black's queenside. Black's best plans are ...Rb8 and ...b5 on the queenside or a direct ...d5 if White delays d3. In the queenless line after ...d5, White's king sits on d1 but the position is simple, and Be3 with Nc3 hold the balance. Both sides must time their wing pushes; the faster attack wins.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.13 2...d5 3.d3 dxe4 4.dxe4 Qxd1+ 5.Kxd1
  2. −0.13 2...Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Ne2 Bg7 5.O-O
  3. −0.10 2...g6 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.Ne2 Bg7 5.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,043 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.4%.

under 120054.8%
1200–159951.2%
1600–199948.9%
2000 and up52.1%

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

How to play against it

Black can play 2...d5 for a quick center fight or 2...Nc6 and ...g6 for a slower game. Avoid passive moves that let White play f4 and e5 unopposed. Keep pressure on d4 and expand on the queenside.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack?

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.g3. Its ECO code is B20.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,043 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.4%. Suits White players who want a quiet, system-based game, while Black only needs sound development to stay equal.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack?

White prepares a kingside fianchetto and a closed game with Bg2, Ne2 and castling. Black can strike with ...d5 right away or mirror with ...g6 and ...Bg7 and play on the queenside.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with Nc6 and g6 close behind. 2...d5 challenges e4 before the bishop reaches g2, and the queen trade costs White castling rights.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.