Chess Openings Lab
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Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit

The Reversed Albin Countergambit is 3.Nc3 c5, where Black hits d4 with the c-pawn and keeps the e4 pawn for now. White can gain space with d5, while Black wants to undermine that pawn with ...e6 and use the open lines for quick development.

Moves
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c5
ECO
D00
Engine
+0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
181 games in our lichess sample
White scores
45.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4.d5 grabs space and keeps the c8 bishop's diagonal blocked; ...Nf6, ...e6 and an exchange on d5 follow.
  • Nge2 and Nf4 bring a knight to pressure d5 and e6, then Be3 adds support.
  • Ng3 is another route to win back the e4 pawn once d5 is secure.
  • 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.dxc5 is a third way, gaining time with the check before taking on c5.

Black

  • ...Nf6 and ...e6 attack the d5 pawn and prepare ...exd5 to open the e-file.
  • ...a6 and ...b5 take queenside space if White's knight sits on f4 and the bishop stays on e3.
  • After Bb5+, block with ...Bd7 and play ...Qa5 to hit the c3 knight and regain the c5 pawn.

Plans and pawn structure

If White pushes d5, White holds space and Black has pressure on e4 and the e-file. White develops with Nge2, Nf4 and Be3, aiming to win e4 and keep the extra space. Black wants ...exd5 and active pieces, with ...Nbd7 and quick castling. Recovering the e4 pawn is White's priority before anything else, since a pawn down with no attack is a poor trade.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.11: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.11 4.d5 Nf6 5.Nge2 e6 6.Nf4 a6
  2. +0.08 4.Nge2 Nf6 5.d5 e6 6.Nf4 exd5
  3. −0.10 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.dxc5 Nf6 6.Nge2 Qa5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

181 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.0%.

1200–159948.8%
1600–199944.7%
2000 and up44.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Push 4.d5 and develop with Nge2 and Nf4. Do not grab on c5 too early unless you have checks, because the e4 pawn needs attention first. White scored only 45% in this line, so careful development beats ambition, and the e4 pawn usually comes back by itself.

Questions

What are the moves of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit?

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit starts 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 c5. Its ECO code is D00.

Is the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. An offbeat but sound reply for Black; White has to know that d5 and Nge2 keep things balanced.

What is the main idea of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Reversed Albin Countergambit?

Black ignores the e4 pawn's defense and hits d4 with ...c5. White's best is to gain space with d5 and win back e4 later, giving a balanced game with clear pawn targets.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with Nge2 and Bb5+ close behind. 4.d5 gains space and keeps Black's c5 pawn from opening lines, with Nge2 and Nf4 to follow.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.