I've not played the Albin Counter-Gambit since I was a Junior (a very, very long time ago indeed), but the look on an opponent's face when one uncorks the under-promotion on Black's move 7 of this line can be amazing. Squirm how White may thereafter, Black has a whopping great advantage.
The one down-side of this line if playing face-to-face can be difficulty finding an extra Black Knight with which to under-promote.
Everyone that has played chess for more than 24 hours knows this one. The Albin is highly unsound.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5? 3.dxe5 d4 4.a3! Followed by 5.e3 - clear advantage White!
@ThrillerFan I absolutely agree. Spending hours learning the Albin is also a really poor idea because you have to learn some other Queen's Gambit line as well anyway; for those occasions when White plays 1. d4, d5: 2. Nf3 intending 3. c4.
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Curious - do you guys plan your chess tournament trips far in advance, or do you just book when needed?