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ECO D08-D09BlackA line in the Albin Countergambit

Learn the Lasker Trap line in the Albin Countergambit

White's natural 4.e3 (only 6.fxe3 holds) loses to the famous underpromotion, after which ...Bg4+ wins the queen.

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e5
  3. 3.dxe5d4
  4. 4.e3Bb4+
  5. 5.Bd2dxe3
  6. 6.Bxb4exf2+
  7. 7.Ke2fxg1=N+
  8. 8.Rxg1Bg4+

The line continues — master it move by move in the app.

Key ideas behind this line

  • Black sacrifices the e5 pawn to plant a cramping wedge on d4 that blocks White's natural Nc3 and e-pawn development.
  • Develop actively with ...Nc6, ...Bg4 or ...Be6, and ...Qd7, then often castle queenside to launch a kingside pawn storm.
  • Know and exploit the Lasker Trap: after 4.e3?? Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3, the ...exf2+ and ...fxg1=N+ underpromotion wins material.

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More lines in this opening

Main Line, g3 Fianchetto

Black develops with tempo and castles queenside, eyeing a kingside pawn storm while defending d4.

Nge7-g6 Recapture

The ...Nge7-g6 plan recovers the gambit pawn, leaving Black with a sound game and the strong d4 pawn.

← Albin Countergambit