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Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack: what should White play?
Best move
Bg2+0.23
By playing Bg2, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g2. This places your bishop on the longest diagonal on the board, exerting powerful pressure on the center and the queenside…
- Games played
- 610K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.23
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Bg2 is the best move
Bg2! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 4 top moves — you found the most principled way to play!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Bg2, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g2. This places your bishop on the longest diagonal on the board, exerting powerful pressure on the center and the queenside while preparing for a safe kingside castle.
Multiple Valid Strategies
This position is rich with options. While you chose the most popular human move, there are three other ways to maintain the balance:
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Bg2 | +0.23 | The Hypermodern Approach: Control the center from a distance. |
| Nf3 | +0.17 | Classical Development: Fighting for d4 and e5 immediately. |
| Nc3 | +0.13 | Solid Reinforcement: Developing toward the center and guarding e4. |
| d3 | +0.08 | The Closed System: Creating a solid pawn chain to limit Black's activity. |
Different paths, same destination: You chose the Positional Path. While Nf3 or Nc3 lead to more standard, direct confrontations, Bg2 and d3 aim for a slower, more strategic game where White builds a solid "fortress" before striking.
Your Continuation
After Bg2:
The engine expects a central challenge:
d5 exd5 exd5 d4 cxd4
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the pawn on g3 was a commitment. Once you move that pawn, the f1 belongs on g2 to fill the "holes" in your kingside structure. You prioritized king safety and long-range influence over immediate central tension.
📚 Takeaway: In the opening, when multiple moves are equal, choose the one that fits your preferred style. You chose the most harmonious development!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 610K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bg2Engine pick | +0.23 | 589K | 52% | |
| Nf3 | +0.17 | 8.9K | 46% | |
| d3 | +0.08 | 6.1K | 50% | |
| Nc3 | +0.13 | 5.7K | 49% | |
| h3 | +0.02 | 0 | — |
More positions in the Sicilian Defense
- Best moveNf3Knight g1 → f3Sicilian Defense276M games
- Best moveBb5Bishop f1 → b5Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian129M games
- Best moved4Pawn d2 → d4Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations109M games
- Best moveNxd4Knight f3 → d4Sicilian Defense: Open74M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3Sicilian Defense: French Variation72M games
- Best movee6Pawn e7 → e6Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack68M games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack?
Bg2 (+0.23). By playing Bg2, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g2. This places your bishop on the longest diagonal on the board, exerting powerful pressure on the center and the queenside…
Why is Bg2 the best move here?
By playing Bg2, you complete the "fianchetto" of your g2. This places your bishop on the longest diagonal on the board, exerting powerful pressure on the center and the queenside while preparing for a safe kingside castle.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 610K times in the opening book.