The Chase (also known as Lasker) Variation is one of the most aggressive ways to fight the provocative Alekhine Defense, and it’s the most common line in the Two Pawns Attack.
For the basics of the Alekhine, watch this introductory video: https://youtu.be/aGqrrBLcaMM
The two pawns attack is the second most popular move in the Alekhine. Instead of the main line with d4, white keeps some options open and plays c4, chasing the knight to b6 straight away.
White can now still opt to play d4, going into one of the two main lines; after d6, takes is the Exchange Variation, and f4 is the aggressive Four Pawns Attack. So white keeps his options with the flexible Two Pawns Attack.
If he wishes not to transpose, he could go for one of the two aggressive variations covered in the video. The Chase (Lasker) Variation or the Steinar Variation.
If white now continues with b3, this will be the Steinar Variation, a seldom played line which not many Alekhine players know. It goes against what white usually tries against 1…Nf6, and can be very confusing for black. White creates a strong pawn chain on the queenside with a2, b3 and c4, fianchettoes his bishop, and goes for a kingside attack.
The most popular alternative to d4, though, is the fun to play Chase Variation. As the name says, you simply force the knight to move yet again! You play c5, forcing the knight to d5. Black has not played a single move with any of his other pieces so far. But black isn’t in trouble. His play is somewhat justified, and the whole point behind it is to try and punish white for overextending his e and c pawns into black’s territory. The two pawns are going to be easily attacked with d6 and/or b6 very early on, and that could mean that the white center is crumbling.
So the Chase or Lasker is provocative play form white, which I very much like! Alekhine players tend to be attacking, tactical beasts with no fear, and they often make the e4 player tremble. The Chase Variation and the Two Pawns Attack challenges that and is as if white is taking a stand! I don’t want to be bullied anymore!
All in all, a very fun and aggressive variation for white, but not as good as d4. It’s not as solid, nor does it provide white that many chances in the game. Play it if you want to chow your muscles to black!
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