ECO D08 · for Black
Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,064,632 games in this band reached the Albin Countergambit position. From there Black won 47% and drew 4%.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. e3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 dxe3 7. fxe3 Bg4 8. Be2 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Qh4+
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... d5
Controlling the center and opening up the diagonal for the light-Squared bishop
2. c4
Immediately contesting the center. In most cases this is not a genuine gambit, since black can't retain the pawn without large concessions.
2... e5
Attempting to counterattack in the center immediately, but this move is a mistake because after dxe5, Black's d5 pawn is hanging.
Moves 3 to 4
3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6
3. dxe5
Capturing the sacrificed pawn on e5. Black will likely continue with d4 and aim to restrict white's piece play.
- 3. Nc3: Developing the knight and attacking the d5 pawn. If Black captures on d4 then White will recapture with the queen.
- 3. cxd5: Capturing Black's d5 pawn and attempting to bring out the queen.
- 3. e3: Strengthening the center by protecting the d4 pawn. This move also opens up the light-squared bishop.
3... d4
Gaining space and restricting white's piece play. The b1 knight can't go to c3 and Nc6 and Bb4+ gives black active counterplay for the pawn.
4. Nf3
Developing the knight and threatening to capture the pawn on d4.
4... Nc6
Developing the knight and protecting the d4 pawn. Black's d4 pawn is very strong and makes it difficult for White to develop.
Moves 5 to 6
5. e3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 dxe3
5. e3
- 5. a3: Taking away the b4 square from Black and possibly preparing b4.
- 5. g3: Opting to fianchetto the light-squared bishop and fight for control of the center.
5... Bb4+
6. Bd2
6... dxe3
Moves 7 to 8
7. fxe3 Bg4 8. Be2 Bxf3
7. fxe3
7... Bg4
8. Be2
8... Bxf3
Move 9
9. Bxf3 Qh4+
9. Bxf3
9... Qh4+
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles queenside
- The queen on h4 generally captures the pawn on c4
- The knight on c6 usually captures the pawn on e5
- The bishop on b4 often captures the bishop on d2
- The knight on c6 typically recaptures the bishop on b4
- The kingside knight can develop to f6 or e7
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Queen's Gambit for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black