Thoughts on Albin-Counter Gambit?

This looks like a decent opening and I was hoping to use it against the QG.  What are your thoughts on it? And are there any books/ online resources on it? I prefer books because then I can study it anytime...

I think it is an excellent opening, and don't let certain people on these forum tell you that its "hope chess."  This is an excellent opening which gives an opportunity for black to play for the win right away.

But honestly, you are letting white get a more than normal advantage right off the bat if he knows the lines...

I say don't play it...

If you want to play for the win right away then go play the KID or some Dutch Defense or something...

 I find that in the 5. a3 lines, white can get quite dominating position position in the Albin Countergambit. I'm lazy to post up an example line but if you want to see I will...

Ok, you might score a few wins with it but its not something you want to play long term. Good QG players know the lines though and don't expect to surprise them.

+then comes the question of what to do when your opponent plays 1.Nf3 followed by d4 and c4 or 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 followed by c4..

The lines that give trouble for black, to me, seem rather complicated, and thus hard to figure out or commit to memory; overall I think it's much more promising than its lack of popularity would suggest. It's sharp, practically hard to face if ill-prepared, and not that bad anyway, so it's quite a decent choice if that's what you like. Just keep in mind it has some holes.

 I can deal with holes.. I mean if I adapt and improvise.. at my current level of skill I should be able to overcome.

@Elubas

"If ill-prepared..."

But people will prepare... If anything, it has a chance of working in the 1st round:

Esp if you are like me in a tourney and walk around and sneakily peek at ppls scoresheets, and predict who you may face...

Then sometimes these gambiteers quickly cover up their scoresheet and frown but its too late hahaha. =P

Played the a3 line as white recently and got an easy game, winning position within a few moves. Basically the ideas of e3 and b4 keeps black working hard for compensation.

 I always play "hope chess." I hope my opponent croaks before he checkmates me. :-)

No serriously, if you want to play gambits because you enjoy it and there fun, do so and dont let any stuffy shirt try and discourage you.

As GM William Lombardy once said, "There are no bad openings bellow master level."

He did - probably because he is Morozevich and we are not.
Also, Avrukh analyzed that line in "1.d4 volume one" and thinks white is probably winning with 19.Na4! rather than 19.Ne4? as played when black won.

It would help if you showed us the gambit for those of us who don't have an encyclopedia in our head.

Honestly, Albin's countergambit may deserve a draw, but certainly not a win. White's position is quite uncomfortable in the middlegame but with careful play they keep the pawn without any disadvantage.

If you want something really aggressive against d4, try the Dutch(1...f5) or the KID (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6, with the idea of a future ...f5). If you want a line with opportunities and active play without great positional disadvantage, try the Nimzo-Indian (d4 Nf6 c4 e6 Nc3 Bb4).

If you want to startle your opponents, ok for Albin. You could also give a look on the Budapest gambit (d4 Nf6 c4 e5).

I completely agree with this.  The last time I played the Albin in a serious game, I got a draw against a high 2200 player.  I'll post up the game in a few minutes.  The guy next to me said he could hear the master saying fu*king gambits lol.

I never prepare for the albin :)

I'll take a look at the budapest and I've already been checking into the dutch. I might try the leningrad system? But Ug. I cannot stand the kid. I hate it so much. Once the bishop is gone its ball-game for any decent attacker. Maybe because my defensive skills aren't up to par? Probably...

How's the budapest go again? I know I've seen it before... And lol the Albin should work decently at the level I'm at. I'm still playing in U1600.

I love the semi-slav I've been getting major prop's when playiing it and during my 2 month unbeatean streak I played it with black and never switched.

The Budapest is certainly better than the Albin but then you've got the same question of what to do vs  2.Nf3, 3.c4

It goes 1. d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5

Btw, in KID, you aren't supposed to defend....You're supposed to attack,attack,attack at least in the Classical lines (idk much about the others).

If your attack fizzles, then you are already worse though. Thats what the KID Classical as Black is all about though. Its going all out on a kingside attack. And by loss of light squared bishop, your attack usually does fizzle.

And how are you liking the Leningrad Dutch? I've personally looked into it but then found out its too aggressive for my taste (I play the Sicilian, which is aggressive, but less so than the Dutch and I like the positions.) Like sometimes Black's position can get kinda ugly in the main line and anti-Dutch as well and I don't like it. If you wana avoid the majority of Anti-Dutch lines, then you need to start out 1...d6 or 1...g6 for the Leningrad...

I haven't really executed the dutch yet.. I don't have any opponents that will play 1.d4 for me in an unrated game. Its just book knowledge currently.. Also am considering the dutch stonewall.. and taking a look into the slav.