Albin Counter-Gambit
ECO D08-D09beginner
The Albin Counter-Gambit, 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5!? 3.dxe5 d4, answers the Queen's Gambit with a gambit of its own: the advanced d4 pawn cramps White's queenside development and supports vicious attacking schemes, including the famous Lasker Trap where premature e3 loses to ...Bb4+ and an underpromotion. Morozevich's modern treatment (...Nge7 heading for g6) restored its respectability — White's safest path is the g3 fianchetto, conceding that the d4 wedge is here to stay.
Main line
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.a3 Nge7 6.b4 Ng6 7.Bb2 a5
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 29 | 58.6% | 3.4% | 37.9% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 |
| 600-800 | 33 | 51.5% | 0% | 48.5% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 |
| 800-1000 | 28 | 46.4% | 0% | 53.6% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.e3 |
| 1000-1200 | 82 | 42.7% | 3.7% | 53.7% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.e3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 dxe3 |
| 1200-1400 | 236 | 40.7% | 5.1% | 54.2% | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.e3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 dxe3 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.e3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 dxe3:
- fxe3 — played 60.6% of the time (White wins 49.6%, draws 6.3%, Black wins 44.1%)
- Bxb4 — played 38.6% of the time (White wins 27.5%, draws 2.2%, Black wins 70.3%)
- Be2 — played 0.4% of the time (White wins 0%, draws 100%, Black wins 0%)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lasker Trap?
After 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3?? Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3! White is already lost: 6.Bxb4 exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+! — the underpromotion wins the queen — is the most famous trap in gambit literature. The e3 break must be prepared, never played immediately.
Is the Albin playable above club level?
Morozevich proved it at 2700 level with the ...Nge7-g6 regrouping pressuring e5. White retains the cleaner game with the 4.Nf3 and 5.g3 main line, but must respect the d4 pawn and Black's initiative — 'unsound' is the wrong word for a gambit this venomous; 'high-maintenance for both sides' is accurate.
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