Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Lasker Trap: what should Black play?

In the Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Lasker Trap, Black's single winning continuation is exf2+. This check exposes White's vulnerable king, ruins White's coordination, and secures a decisive material advantage with an engine evaluation of -6.02. Every other legal option hands White a large advantage, making the tactical strike essential.

Tactical refutation with exf2+

The critical move exf2+ defines the Lasker Trap, an infamous tactical sequence arising in over 113,000 recorded games in this position. The pawn capture on f2 strips away White's defensive shelter and wins the queen on d1 if White captures the pawn. An illustrative engine continuation demonstrates this consequence via exf2+ Kxf2 Qxd1 Bc3 Nh6 h3, leaving Black ahead by an entire queen.

Flawed alternatives

Any attempt by Black to avoid exf2+ results in an immediate turnaround in White's favor. For instance, Queen maneuvers such as Qh4 evaluate at +3.72, while Qg5 yields +4.67 after the engine line Qg5 Nf3 exf2+ Kxf2 Qg6 Qd2. In these variations, White consolidates development and neutralizes Black's initiative.

The Queen exchange mistake

Trading queens directly with Qxd1+ completely fails to challenge White, receiving an evaluation of +4.25. The sequence Qxd1+ Kxd1 Nh6 fxe3 Bf5 Bc3 allows White's king to walk safely into the game while maintaining an extra pawn and superior piece activity. Similarly, developing moves like Nd7 allow White an evaluation of +4.68 after Nd7 Nf3 exf2+ Kxf2 Ne7 Nc3, leaving Black with no compensation for the sacrificed material.