Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense

Chess players who open with 1.d4 intend to control the center of the board by placing their pawns on d4 and e4. The move d4 also frees the bishop on c1 and the queen on d1. With the bishop on g5, White pins Black's knight on f6, making it difficult for Black to move their d-pawn forward. The move Bg5 also attacks Black's knight on f6. In the Lasker Defense, Black responds by moving their bishop to e7, developing their pieces and avoiding a pawn exchange on d5. White's next move is often Nf3, developing another piece and defending the pawn on e4.

Playing d5 after 1.d4 is a common move in response to White's attempt to control the center of the board with their pawn on d4. By playing d5, Black also lays claim to the central squares and aims to counter White's pawn on d4. The move also opens lines for Black's queen and bishop, adding to their overall development. Additionally, controlling the center allows Black to better coordinate their pieces and launch attacks against White's position.

White plays c4 in response to Black's d5, which is a well-known way to contest control of the center. By playing c4, White aims to exert more influence on the d5 square and create additional space for their pieces. The move also allows White's bishop to become more active, as it can be developed to b2 or g5. Moreover, it opens lines for the queen and provides more space and freedom to the knight on b1. Finally, it may create a threat of a pawn exchange on d5 that would help White to establish a pawn structure that favors their play.

In the Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense, Black often plays e6 after White's c4. This move resets the game into a different variation, where Black blocks the action of the bishop on c1 and solidifies their pawn structure. By playing e6, Black provides additional support to their d5 pawn and creates a stable position from which they can prepare future moves. Moreover, the pawn on e6 can also prevent a potential central pawn break from White that may arise after moves like Ng5 or h3. Additionally, playing e6 frees the bishop on f8, which may be developed to b4 or d6 in the future.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6, White's move Nc3 is a natural development move that aims to control the center. By doing so, it allows the knight to attack Black's pawn on d5, putting pressure on Black to defend it. Additionally, Nc3 helps White to prepare for the future attack with moves like e4 or f3 that develop the additional pieces and create threats. The knight also supports White's pawn on e4, making it harder for Black to launch threats from that side of the board. Furthermore, it creates the potential for White to exchange their knight for any Black pawn that ventures onto d4 in the future.

In response to 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3, Black moves their bishop to e7, a common development move in the Lasker Defense. By playing Be7, Black supports their own pawn on d5 and prepares other pieces for development. The bishop also counters the threats from White's pawn on c4, making it harder for White to exchange pawns and gain additional control of the center. Moreover, the bishop frees the option for the knight on g8 to be developed to f6, supporting Black's central pawns. Additionally, the bishop on e7 can be exchanged with White's bishop on g5, equalizing the material and simplifying the game.

In the Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense, after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7, White often plays Nf3, a natural development move that completes the control of the center. By playing Nf3, White supports the pawn on e4, which is now vulnerable to attacks from Black's bishop on e7. Moreover, the knight on f3 prepares for the castle king move and contributes to the overall coordination of White's pieces. Additionally, the knight keeps the possibility of jumping on g5, exerting pressure on Black's position by attacking the pawn on h7 or the knight on f6. The move also opens the b1-h7 diagonal for the bishop which can now be developed to f4 or g5.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3, Black often responds with Nf6, a move that facilitates the development of the knight and adds further control of the center. The knight on f6 defends against White's central pawns and prepares to jump into key squares like d5 or g4. Moreover, the knight attacks the pawn on e4, forcing White to consider how to protect it or exchange it. The move also prepares the possibility of playing pawn moves like f5 or d4, capturing more center squares and putting pressure on White's defenders. Furthermore, the knight can be useful both defensively and offensively, making it a valuable piece in the middle game.

In response to 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, White often plays Bg5, a move commonly seen in the Lasker Defense variation. By attacking Black's knight on f6, White aims to disrupt Black's control of the center and create weaknesses in their defense. The bishop also pins down the knight, making it harder for Black to play moves like g6 or f6, which can defend against the attack. Additionally, the move can potentially lead to a pawn exchange on f6, which may open up files and diagonals for both sides. Finally, the bishop on g5 participates in the control of e7 square, limiting Black's queen and bishop movements.

In the Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense, after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5, Black often responds with h6, a move that addresses the pin created by White's bishop. By playing h6, Black prevents the potential exchange of knights on f6, avoiding damage to their pawn structure. The move also creates some space for Black's bishop on e7, allowing it to retreat to h4 or d6 if needed. Additionally, h6 can provide some protection to the king’s position in the future, preventing back-rank checkmates or attacks by White's knight on g5. Finally, the move does not weaken Black's position as White does not have any pieces that would benefit from the weakened pawn structure on h6.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 h6, White often plays Bh4, a move to develop the bishop while retaining the pin on Black's knight on f6. By playing Bh4, White is increasing the pressure on Black's knight, which now needs to consider whether to retreat or exchange. Moreover, the bishop can be potentially developed to different squares in the future, like d3 or e2, depending on how the game develops. Additionally, the move prepares the castle kingside, securing the king and adding protection to the pawn structure. Finally, the bishop on h4 can be effective in shutting down Black's pawn storm on the kingside by controlling the g5 square.

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4, Black often responds with O-O, a move that places the king in safety while freeing the rook on h8. Castling kingside also allows Black to bring their rook on f8 into the game and connect the rooks. Moreover, the move allows Black to double their pawns in the future, if necessary, by playing g6 and fxg6, without exposing the king to immediate danger. Additionally, castling removes the king from the potential attacks by White's bishop on h4. Finally, the move doesn't weaken Black's pawn structure and can be done quickly, making other active moves possible.

In the Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker Defense, after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O, White often plays e3, a move that aims to complete the development of their bishop on c1 and fianchetto it to g2. By playing e3, White also solidifies their pawn structure and further defends the pawn on d4. Additionally, the move creates a diagonal for White's queen and frees the light-squared bishop to be developed to g5 or f4 in the future. Moreover, the pawn on e3 can guard the central squares, like d4 and f4, and support a knight on d5, preventing Black from occupying this critical square. Finally, the move prepares for White's possible knight jumps to e5 or d2 and contributes to the overall coordination of White's pieces.

In response to 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.e3, Black often plays Ne4, a move that targets the bishop on g5 and aims to exchange it. The move forces White to make a decision whether to protect the bishop or exchange knights on e4. Moreover, the move reinforces Black's grip on the key central square d4, from where Black can control the center and launch attacks. Additionally, the knight on e4 supports potential knight jumps to g3 or c3, where it may pressure White's position. Furthermore, the knight on e4 can also be part of Black's defense if needed, covering important squares and guarding against White's pawn breaks. Finally, the move frees up the bishop on c8, making it possible to develop it to b7 or a6.