White Black
     Jackson Showalter.  Edward Lasker

(1) P-e4          P-e5
(2) Kt-f3         Kt-c6
(3) B-b5          P-a6

As explained previously this move cannot be regarded as loss of time as White has to either retreat with the Bishop, adding nothing to his development, or exchange on c6, helping Black’s development by opening a line for the Bishop c8.

          (4) B-a4 Kt-f6

The move B-c5 which Black might consider instead of Kt-f6 is not to be recommended as White would reply P-c3 and then force the exchange of Black’s center-Pawn by P-d4.  The complete control of the center which White would gain in the further course of the game would soon give him an overwhelming attack.  For instance:  (4) ..., B-c5; (5) P-c3, Kt-f6; (6) o-o, o-o;

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R |    | #B | #Q | #K | #B |    | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 |    | #P | #P | #P |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P |    | #Kt|    |    | #Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | ^B |    |    |    | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    |    |    |    | ^Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | ^P |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K |    |    | ^R |
+---------------------------------------+
a    b    c    d    e    f    g    h

Diagram 62.

(7) P-d4, Pxd4; (8) Pxd4, B-b6; (9) P-e5, Kt-e8; (10) P-d5, Kt-e7; (11) P-d6, Pxd6; (12) Pxd6, Kt-g6; (13) B-g5, etc.

(5) P-d3

It is customary for White to castle at this point.  P-d3 is certainly a good move as it enables the development of the Queen’s Bishop, but o-o is very likely better as it reserves the option of advancing the Queen’s Pawn either one or two squares.  When advancing the Pawn two squares White has to avoid the following trap:  (5) o-o, B-e7; (6) P-d4, P-b5; (7) B-b3, Pxd4 (not Ktxd4 on account of (8) Bxf7 and (9) Ktxe5 +); (8) Ktxd4 ??, Ktxd4; (9) Qxd4, P-c5 followed by P-c4 winning the Bishop.  What White can try in this variation is the Pawn sacrifice (8) P-c3, Pxc3, through which he obtains a considerable advantage in the development of the pieces.

After (5) o-o White threatens to win the Pawn e5 by (6) Bxc6 and (7) Ktxe5, as now Q-d4; (8) Kt-f3, Qxe4 is not possible on account of (9) R-e1.  Black has various ways to counter this threat.  He can either defend the Pawn by P-d6 or play B-e7 with the view to capture the Pawn e4 in case White should take the Pawn e5, or, finally, he can capture the Pawn e4 at once.

All of these three variations are playable for Black although it appears that White obtains a slight advantage however Black continues.  This opening is consequently a great favorite in modern Tournament play.