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    Chess Openings

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line

    1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 · ECO D08

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3. White: pawn on e5, pawn on c4, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d4.

    Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3. It is classified D08 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.

    Strategic character

    Black shuts in the light-squared bishop with e6 in exchange for a stable centre. The recurring strategic themes are freeing the position with c5 or e5, and the minority attack, where White advances the queenside pawns to create a weakness in Black's structure.

    Who should play it

    Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.

    This line is a variation within the Queen's Gambit Declined family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3.

    Variations continuing from this position

    Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line?
    The Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3. It is classified D08 in the ECO system. The Queen's Gambit Declined meets 1.d4 d5 2.c4 by supporting the d5 pawn with e6 rather than capturing. It is one of the most respected defences in chess, chosen in world championship matches for over a century because it gives Black a rock-solid centre that is very hard to break down.
    What are the moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line?
    1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3. After these moves it is black to move.
    Is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line good for beginners?
    Players who want a dependable answer to 1.d4 and are comfortable in classical positions where small structural advantages decide the game.
    What variations come from the Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Normal Line?
    Named continuations include Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Tartakower Defense, Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Fianchetto Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Modern Line, Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Balogh Variation, Queen's Gambit Declined: Albin Countergambit, Fianchetto Variation, Be6 Line. There are 9 named variations reachable from this position in total.

    Study this opening