The Amazing Albin Counter-Gambit

by Davide Nastasio
5/5/2018 – If one desires to advance in chess, and become good like a Morphy, to learn and play actively a gambit is a must. Reviewer DAVIDE NASTASIO says IM Trent is the right guide, because he plays the Albin Counter-Gambit, and knows the pros and cons. The Albin counter-gambit can be a useful new weapon for tournament or blitz games. Thanks to a detailed study one will improve the understanding of the initiative, while learning to disregard material, in order to have a strong attacking game. The top names, who play this exciting opening, are proof it is a sound opening too! By the way, The Albin Counter-Gambit is: GingerGM approved!

The Amazing Albin Counter-Gambit The Amazing Albin Counter-Gambit

On this DVD IM Trent shows the Albin Counter-Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5). Trent found a number of extremely dangerous Theoretical Novelties which will truly put the Albin Counter-Gambit back on the map.

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A review

DVD cover

Thanks to the opening of a chess club in my city, now I have the chance to play more tournaments, and more blitz rated events.

Recently, at the chess club, I began a series of matches one-on-one: six games with long time control, and ten blitz games.

After the first match with this format, I realized I could have scored more points, if I had a blitz repertoire, and here this DVD by Trent comes in handy, because it can give me a repertoire to definitely surprise my opponent, with sharp lines that are definitely difficult to refute in a blitz over-the-board game.

I'd like to praise Trent's intellectual honesty, because not even one minute into the introductory video he says clearly: "The Albin cannot be played after the move 2.Nf3."

I'm mentioning this point, because many titled players when giving a repertoire or an opening system, they tend to avoid or minimize the problems. Trent instead took the bull immediately by the horns! 

 
2.Nf3
No Albin (no cry)

On the other hand, in times where most people don't care about a precise use of the language (apart from the grammar police!) I believe it was obvious, since it's called: "counter-gambit" which means White must gambit first, in order to have a counter-gambit, and 2.Nf3 is not a gambit!

I'd like to praise Trent also for another reason. In the database of model games, he not only put the games he won, but also one he lost, which shows he is a mature and responsible coach, unlike those concocting a magic aura of invincibility for the opening they are teaching.

To tell you the truth, there is another product by ChessBase, authored by Trent which is really worth having: The Modern Grand Prix Attack. I remember I bought it for learning how to fight the Sicilian, and it really worked, because even against players 200 points above me, I was able — thanks to the good lessons given by Trent — to stand my ground, and either win or draw. Returning to the newest DVD, Trent solves the question of 2.Nf3 saying: "however the 70% of players play 2.c4." Which is not really a good answer, because I need a repertoire for blitz. So I returned to another product I briefly studied, but didn't use — one which now could come handy too: "The tactical Chigorin" by Simon Williams. 

In that video series, GM Williams, on video 24, covers the possibility that White tries to avoid 2.c4, with the following line: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bf4/Bg5/g3 (from A. Adorjan vs A. Morozevich).

I give the game because I'm interested in writing articles which are useful to my fellow chess players, however in the Chigorin DVD the game is heavily annotated, and then, of course, Williams also dedicates an entire 20 minutes video to it, explaining the move order, and what Black should do, etc.

 
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.Bf4 Bg4 4.e3 e6 5.Nbd2 Bd6 6.Bxd6 cxd6 7.Be2 Nge7 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 b5 11.c3 Rb8 12.a4 bxa4 13.Qc2 e5 14.Rxa4 a5 15.e4 dxe4 16.Bxe4 f5 17.Bxc6 Nxc6 18.dxe5 dxe5 19.Nc4 e4 20.Qd1 Qf6 21.Qd5+ Kh8 22.Rd1 h6 23.Qc5 Rfd8 24.Rd6 Rxd6 25.Nxd6 Ne7 26.Rxa5 Rxb2 27.Nxf5 e3 28.Qxe7 Qxe7 29.Nxe7 Rb1+ 30.Kh2 exf2 31.Rf5 f1Q 32.Rxf1 Rxf1 33.Kg3 Rd1 34.Ng6+ Kh7 35.Ne5 Rf1 36.c4 g6 37.h4 Kg7 38.Ng4 h5 39.Ne3 Rh1 40.Nd5 Kf7 41.Ne3 Ke6 42.Kf4 Rxh4+ 43.g4 Rh1 44.gxh5 Rxh5 45.Kg4 Ke5 46.c5 Ke6 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Adorjan,A2565Morozevich,A25900–11994D02Alushta47

There is also another reason why one should know the Chigorin Defence. During the second video, Trent analyses some rare third move sidelines. The following one could be a transposition into the Chigorin: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.cxd5 Qxd5 now if White plays 4.Nf3 and Black continues with 4...Nc6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.Bxc3 this transposes to a Chigorin, so once more it becomes useful to study the DVD made by Williams.

 
Transposition into the Chigorin

If Black doesn't want to transpose, then after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.cxd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Black needs to play 4...exd4 and Trent covers that.

 
Black avoids the Chigorin

The point here is thanks to the ChessBase training system I can cover most of my needs, and create a repertoire for blitz. Obviously, I'm not covering all the possibilities, because this article is intended as a review of Trent's latest DVD, more than learning the Chigorin, but I do like to be prepared!

Trent informs us that the DVD has quite lengthy analysis, longer than in previous video series on openings he has made, because in this case, he is proving the soundness of the lines he proposes, with an accurate analysis bulletproofed by engines. This is especially important in today's engine world, where playing an unsound opening means losing points for no reason.

Between the modern names who play this opening we see former world champion Kasimdzhanov, then a name synonymous with creativity: Morozevich, and the Swedish champion: Tikkanen. Among the classical masters, we have obviously Albin, Geza Maroczy and Frank Marshall, just to mention few who played the opening consistently.

I'd like to share this masterpiece played by Trent, because it reminds me of Rotlewi vs Rubinstein, a famous game in which many pieces are sacrificed or left en prise.

 
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,161,23254%2421---
1.d4943,61155%2434---
1.Nf3280,29556%2441---
1.c4181,39556%2442---
1.g319,64956%2427---
1.b314,14254%2427---
1.f45,86848%2376---
1.Nc33,74951%2385---
1.b41,73548%2378---
1.a31,18753%2403---
1.e31,06348%2408---
1.d394050%2378---
1.g465846%2359---
1.h444152%2372---
1.c341951%2423---
1.h327756%2416---
1.a410659%2469---
1.Nh38866%2510---
1.f38745%2429---
1.Na34063%2477---
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.a3 Bg4 6.Qb3 Qd7 7.Qxb7 Rb8 8.Qa6 Nge7 9.Nbd2 Ng6 10.g3 d3 11.e3 Bb4 12.Bg2 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Ngxe5 14.0-0 Bh3 15.Bxh3 Qxh3 16.f4 0-0 17.c5 Ng4 18.Nf3 d2 19.Bxd2 Rxb2 20.Qe2 Re8 21.e4 h6 22.Rfb1 Rxe4 23.Qf1 Qxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Re2 25.h3 Nh2 26.Nxh2 Rexd2 27.Nf3 Rg2+ 28.Kh1 Rxg3 29.Rad1 Rxh3+ 30.Kg1 Rg3+ 31.Kh1 Rb3 32.Ng1 Rgd3 33.f5 Rxa3 34.f6 gxf6 35.Rxd3 Rxd3 36.Rxf6 Ne5 37.Rxh6 c6 38.Rh4 Rd1 39.Rf4 Rc1 40.Kg2 Rxc5 41.Ne2 a5 42.Ng3 Kf8 43.Kf1 Rc3 44.Kg2 Rc2+ 45.Kf1 c5 46.Ra4 Nc6 47.Nf5 Rh2 48.Nd6 Ke7 49.Nb7 Rc2 50.Nxa5 Nxa5 51.Rxa5 Ke6 52.Ke1 f5 53.Kd1 Rc4 54.Ra8 Re4 55.Kd2 c4 56.Ra5 Kf6 57.Ra1 Kg5 58.Rg1+ Kf4 59.Rf1+ Kg4 60.Rg1+ Kh3 61.Rf1 f4 62.Rh1+ Kg2 63.Rh4 Kg3 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Steingrimsson,H2557Trent,L24200–12013D08Andorra op 31st3

Returning to the DVD, Trent emphasizes the need to repeat the lines and understand them. Today also in ChessBase there are tools which can help us to do that.

What I mean here is "praxis" an ancient Greek word which symbolizes the idea of practising. But practising what? Trent shows some lines, and tell us he would prefer that endgame compared to another when he says that one must stop the video, copy the FEN of that position, and then play it against an engine or a sparring partner. Here I'd like to give some of the positions I've seen, which in my opinion one must play before the tournament, to acquire that kind of understanding needed to play the opening correctly.

 
Attack on the kingside

Black just played 12...h5 White to move, here one should play it as Black against an engine, and see if he is able to convert the pawn sacked, with a strong successful attack on the White king. If one can't, then he should try as White to resist the attack. In this way, one learns both sides and becomes acquainted with the plans, and tactics in the position.

 
Equal middlegame

Black just played 12...c6; this position is equal, and that's when things are difficult. One should spend 15-20 minutes to imagine which plans White will employ, and what to do as Black.

 
Queenside majority

Here Trent shows this position which is equal, but he prefers Black's queenside majority. Again, one should not have to work it all out at the board, but rather practise beforehand.

I'd like to mention another position, in relation to the ChessBase training system. After the moves: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.e3 exd4 4.exd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4

 
French Isolated Queen Pawn

This is a position which could arise from the French Defence and could lead to an Isolated Queen Pawn. So why is the ChessBase training system such an asset? Because there is a DVD, made by Senior FIDE trainer GM Mikhalchishin, which teaches us all about these pawn structures, and how to deal with them.

The opening is not only memorizing some lines and moves, it is the core learning system which opens our minds to what to do, depending on which pawn structure we encounter. To study the opening distinct from the actual middlegame and endgame is foolish.

The positions above are just a small sample gathered from one video clip, but they are much more useful to prepare you for a tournament, than a typical tactic training, because they will happen in your games if you play the Albin Counter-Gambit, and to be familiar with them means to save a lot of time on the clock.

By now the reader of this article will want to know precisely the content of the DVD. The series is divided into four chapters, which cover all the lines of the Albin's counter-gambit for a total of 22 videos — slightly over 5 hours. The fifth chapter is dedicated to the interactive quizzes, where Trent presents a position, and one must find the right move. The quiz section is made up of 15 video clips, with feedback. This is useful training, and can last hours, or at least give us feedback on which parts we didn't fully understand.

Final thoughts

Play the Albin counter-gambit, because it will teach you chess! Buy the DVD, play each line against an engine or a sparring partner, and you'll become a new better player in the process. One can become a player who knows how to exploit a tempo in the opening to one's own advantage. A player who, like Morphy, understands development, the initiative, and the attack!

The Amazing Albin Counter-Gambit

On this DVD IM Trent shows the Albin Counter-Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5). Trent found a number of extremely dangerous Theoretical Novelties which will truly put the Albin Counter-Gambit back on the map.

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Davide is a chess aficionado who regularly reviews books and DVDs.

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