Lasker Variation

The Lasker Variation arises when Black, in the 3...Qa5 main line of the Scandinavian Defense, develops with 4...Nf6 and 5...Bg4 before playing ...c6. White responds at once with 6. h3, questioning the bishop while the light-squared bishop and knight are still the only developed Black minor pieces. Because ...c6 has not been played, the queen on a5 lacks its usual retreat square, and the pin on f3 is less secure than in the lines where the bishop goes to f5. Engines rate the position as a clear advantage for White, although in online play the results are fairly close.

The most common answer is 6...Bh5, keeping the pin; White can then gain space on the kingside with 7. g4 Bg6, at the cost of loosening the pawns in front of a castled king. 6...Bxf3 gives up the bishop pair to avoid that chase and is a frequent engine choice. The less common 6...Qh5 brings the queen over to defend the bishop and maintain pressure on f3, but White scores notably better against it than against the other two replies.