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ECO D08-D09BlackA line in the Albin Countergambit

Learn the Main Line, g3 Fianchetto line in the Albin Countergambit

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

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e5
  3. 3.dxe5d4
  4. 4.Nf3Nc6
  5. 5.g3Bg4
  6. 6.Bg2Qd7
  7. 7.O-OO-O-O

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

Your coach, move by move

  1. 1... d5We meet 1.d4 head-on with ...d5, staking a claim in the center and inviting the Queen's Gambit so we can spring our countergambit.
  2. 2... e5We strike back with the Albin's defining ...e5, offering a pawn to blow open the center and seize the initiative against White's c4 grab.
  3. 3... d4Instead of recapturing we push ...d4, leaving this advanced pawn as a cramping thorn that takes the e3- and c3-squares away from White's pieces.
  4. +4 more coached moves waiting 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

Lasker Trap

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

Nge7-g6 Recapture

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

← Albin Countergambit