McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation
- 1.e4e6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.Nc3Nf6
- 4.Bg5Bb4
- 5.e5h6
- 6.Bd2Bxc3
1,197 games
The main line of the French McCutcheon, in which Black answers 6. Bd2 by exchanging bishop for knight with 6...Bxc3, leading to sharp, unbalanced play.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Lasker Variation
The Lasker Variation is the main line of the McCutcheon. Black answers 6. Bd2 with an immediate 6...Bxc3, giving up the dark-squared bishop while the f6-knight is still attacked by the e5-pawn. About four in five games continue 7. bxc3, which accepts doubled c-pawns, and play usually goes on with 7...Ne4 8. Qg4. The recapture 7. Bxc3 keeps White's structure intact but scores worse in practice. Engines give White a slight edge.