Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. e4/2...c5

An unusual countergambit to the Blackmar-Diemer or Smith-Morra gambits. It superficially resembles a reversed Albin countergambit, but with White to move.

White can capture either of the pawns and come out ahead.

If 3. dxc5 dxe4 leads to a queen trade. Most common in amateur games is 3...d4?, which seems to take space but just leaves the pawn stranded after 4. Nf3 (preventing ...e5) Nc6 5. c3. 3...Nf6 is an improvement.

If 3. exd5 Qxd5 then 4. Ne2 is best to defend the d-pawn (if 4. Nf3 then ...Bg4, pinning the knight, cannot be met with f3) 4...Nf6 5. Nbc3 Qd7 6. d5±. Otherwise this probably leads to a queen trade too, e.g. 4. Nc3 Qxd4 5. Qxd4 cxd4 6. Nb5 Na6⩲.

1. d4 d5 2. e4 c5

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.