Distinct in what way, Lasker? Could you give some of those variations, please? :-)
Move 5. Bd3 Discussion
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But then again, like you say, he'd need 6. Nge2, to which we can react with 6. .. cxd4 if we'd really want to free our bishop again and it makes way for the queen to come out if we'd decide we need to do so. Playing c5 also gives the bishop a possible retreat square at c7 if we'd come into some a3 b4 and not being able to counter it move order.
Just what I noticed the first moment I saw c5. I'm not as advanced as most players over here, but I guess it still pays to look at it from a beginner's point of view too.
I am a little torn as to our response. My opinion is that while this move doesnt matter in 90% of the games since d5 or c5 becomes the same position next turn, i would prefer it doesnt wind up that way. The position we get in then tend to trade the bishop for the knight, and after that the pawn tension from pawns on both d5 and c5 leads to a more open board favoring the side with 2 bishops (thus equality is much harder to come by).
The answer I would play in a game would be 5... c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. 0-0 d6! (the exclamation is not saying its an amazing move, just that its where we would deviate from the main line). The purpose is to signal white that the board is going to close up, and he needs to start avoid the doubled pawns and make some queen moves (or alternatively accept doubled pawns, a bigger weakness in a closed position) and find a way to make his bishops useful. Equality comes much easier here.
This is of course a deviation from my opinion that a sharper or more tactical game is preferred against a GM. For this style of play I prefer 5... d5 6. Nf3 b6 (bonus: played in the only win for black from this position that Onischuk has played - http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1251962... but 1 loss though too - http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1176201). This will probably lead to symmetrical material, and less of a fight for equality.
(ps. i cross posted this in the game forum to generate some discussion above that of "it doesnt matter what we play since it will wind up the same after the next move" which ive seen a lot of)
Most popular responses to 5. Bd3 in the order of the popularity are (bold moves are main lines):
5... d5
5... c5
5... d6
5... b6
5... Nc6
5... Bxc3
5... Re8
5... c6
5... Qc7
5... (something novel)