Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...e5
Albin Countergambit | |
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 |
Delayed Albin Countergambit | |
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 |
Albin Countergambit
[edit | edit source]2...e5
[edit | edit source]The Albin Countergambit is an uncommon defense to the Queen's Gambit. Although it is rarely played by masters, it seems to be better than its reputation.
The usual continuation is 3.dxe5 d4, where in exchange for the gambit pawn Black has a central wedge at d4 and gets some chances for an attack. Often White will try to return the pawn at an appropriate moment in order to gain a positional advantage.
The Black pawn at d4 is stronger than it may appear. The careless move 4.e3? can lead to the Lasker Trap (see diagram below). After 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3!! 6.Bxb4?? is a blunder — 6...exf2+! 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+!! and Black's position is superior. The Lasker Trap is notable because it is rare to see an underpromotion as early as move 7.
Instead the game usually continues 4.Nf3 Nc6 (4...c5 allows 5.e3 because Black no longer has the bishop check) and now White's primary options are 5.a3, 5.Nbd2, and 5.g3. Perhaps White's surest try for an advantage is to fianchetto his king bishop with 5.g3 followed by Bg2 and Nbd2. Black will often castle queenside. A typical continuation is 5.g3 Be6 6.Nbd2 Qd7 7.Bg2 0-0-0 8.0-0 Bh3.
In the Spassky Variation, White plays 4.e4 to take advantage of the fact that an en passant capture must be made immediately after the enemy pawn moves. Now after 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 the en passant capture ...dxe3 is no longer available for Black because of the intervening moves.
Lasker Trap | |
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. e3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 dxe3 6. Bxb4 exf2+ 7. Ke2 fxg1=N+ |
Theory table
[edit | edit source].
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||||
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Main line | dxe5 d4 |
Nf3 Nc6 |
g3 Bg4 |
Bg2 Qd7 |
O-O O-O-O |
+= | ||||
... ... |
... ... |
... Nge7 |
Bg2 Ng6 |
O-O Ngxe5 |
Nxe5 Nxe5 |
b3 Bc5 |
+= | |||
Lasker Trap | ... ... |
e3?! Bb4+ |
Bd2 dxe3!! |
Bxb4?? exf2+! |
Ke2 fxg1(N)+!! |
-+ | ||||
... dxc4 |
Qa4+ Nc6 |
Nf3 | += | |||||||
cxd5 Qxd5 |
Nc3 Qxd4 |
Qxd4 exd4 |
= | |||||||
cxd5 Qxd5 |
Nc3 Qxd4 |
Qxd4 exd4 |
Nb5 Na6 |
Nxd4 Bb4+ |
Bd2 Bxd2 |
Kxd2 c5 |
Nb5 Nf6 |
= | ||
cxd5 Qxd5 |
Nc3 Qxd4 |
Qxd4 exd4 |
Nb5 Na6 |
Nxd4 Bb4+ |
Bd2 Bxd2 |
Kxd2 c5 |
Nb3? Nf6 |
e3 b6 |
=+ | |
e3?! exd4 |
exd4 Nf6 |
=+ |
References
[edit | edit source]- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.