Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack e6 — How to Play It as White
The Sicilian Defense is famous for giving Black sharp counterplay, but the Lasker-Dunne Attack bypasses the theoretical minefields. By fianchettoing your king's bishop with 2.g3 followed by 3.Bg2, you keep the position flexible and steer clear of heavily-booked main lines. You avoid the Open Sicilian chaos — but this quiet approach still scores respectably. Across 202,500 games from this exact position, White wins 49.3% of the time, with only 4.0% draws. Stockfish rates the position +0.28, a tiny edge for White. That means you stand slightly better here, but you'll need to choose your follow-up wisely. The interactive drill below lets you practise the key decision points against an engine that adapts to your play.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack: e6 against the engine
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The Lasker-Dunne Attack with e6 is a system of restraint rather than immediate confrontation. By fianchettoing your king's bishop, you control the long light-squared diagonal — a diagonal that Black's ...e6 move has conveniently weakened. Your pawn on e4 eyes the centre, while g3 provides a safe home for your king after a timely castling. You are not trying to blow Black off the board on move four. Instead you aim for a compact, slightly better middlegame where your bishop on g2 can become a monster once the centre clears. The engine's +0.28 evaluation confirms that you already have a measurable edge. The challenge is to convert that small plus into a lasting advantage without overreaching.
The Engine's Top Answer — and Why It Matters
Stockfish's preferred continuation after 3.Bg2 is 4.d5. Yes, it is Black who is to move in the diagram — the engine suggests Black should immediately challenge the centre with ...d5. The full line runs: 4...d5 5.exd5 exd5 6.d4. If Black plays ...d5 you will respond by capturing on d5, then pushing your own d-pawn to d4. This sequence opens the centre on your terms: your light-squared bishop on g2 gains a beautiful diagonal aimed at Black's queenside, and your pawn on d4 contests the dark squares. Not every opponent finds ...d5, though. In practice, the most popular reply is 3...Nc6 (86,749 games), where White scores 49.2%. After ...Nc6 you can continue developing naturally — the bishop on g2 already does its job, so moves like 4.Nf3 or 4.d3 are sensible.
What the Statistics Reveal
The database numbers for the six most-played Black replies tell a consistent story: this opening is razor-sharp but fair. Here is how White scores against each: - 3...Nc6 (86,749 games): White wins 49.2% - 3...d5 (39,244 games): White wins 47.6% - 3...a6 (21,119 games): White wins 50.2% - 3...Nf6 (16,480 games): White wins 49.9% - 3...d6 (10,330 games): White wins 48.6% - 3...Qc7 (5,803 games): White wins 50.2% Notice that White's winning percentage hovers just below or just above 50% against every major reply. The 4.0% draw rate is remarkably low — most games see a decisive result. The most dangerous reply for White percentage-wise is 3...d5, where White scores only 47.6%. That aligns with the engine's evaluation that ...d5 is Black's best move. If your opponent finds it, remember the engine's follow-up plan of capturing and playing d4.
The Typical Middlegame You'll Reach
Because the Lasker-Dunne Attack avoids an early ...d5 from Black, you will often see structures where Black plays ...Nc6, ...d6, and ...Nf6, while you develop normally with Nf3, 0-0, and perhaps d3 followed by Be3 or Nc3. Your bishop on g2 is the star piece. Keep an eye on the long diagonal — if Black ever trades pawns on e4, that diagonal opens up and your bishop becomes devastating. Castling kingside is natural (your g3 pawn is already there), and you can also consider a quick f4 or h3 to gain space on the kingside. Be patient. Many Sicilian players are used to sharp tactical battles; the Lasker-Dunne frustrates them by keeping the position solid. Your 49.3% win rate shows that this patient approach is a reliable weapon at club level.
Results across 202,500 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 86,749 | 49.2% |
| d5 | 39,244 | 47.6% |
| a6 | 21,119 | 50.2% |
| Nf6 | 16,480 | 49.9% |
| d6 | 10,330 | 48.6% |
| Qc7 | 5,803 | 50.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lasker-Dunne Attack in the Sicilian Defense?
The Lasker-Dunne Attack is a system for White beginning with 1.e4 c5 2.g3. Instead of entering the Open Sicilian (2.Nf3 and 3.d4), White fianchettoes the king's bishop. The specific line covered here continues 2...e6 3.Bg2. It avoids heavy theory while still giving White a small edge, rated +0.28 by Stockfish.
How does White handle 3...d5 from Black?
The ...d5 move is Black's engine-recommended best reply. White's best plan is to capture: 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4. This opens the centre and gives your bishop on g2 a powerful diagonal. Statistically, Black scores slightly better against this line than others — White wins only 47.6% of the time — so be ready for it.
Is the Lasker-Dunne Attack good for beginners?
Yes. It sidesteps the overwhelming theory of the Open Sicilian while still fighting for an edge. The positions are more about piece play and long-term pressure than sharp tactics. Since White scores around 49-50% against every major Black reply, it is a fair fight that rewards general chess understanding over memorised lines.
What is Black's most common move after 3.Bg2?
Black plays 3...Nc6 most often — it appears in 86,749 games in the database, far more than any other move. Against ...Nc6, White scores 49.2%. Develop naturally with 4.Nf3 or 4.d3, castle, and aim to make use of your g2 bishop. The position remains balanced but you have no reason to fear this reply.