Albin Countergambit, Fianchetto Variation

In the Fianchetto Variation, White meets the standard 4...Nc6 by preparing Bg2, usually together with Nbd2. The bishop on the long diagonal presses against Black's queenside and the c6-knight, while the knight on d2 avoids the c3-square, where the d4-pawn would harass it. White keeps the gambit pawn on e5 and develops calmly, ready to return material later for a lasting positional advantage. The setup is regarded as White's surest try for an advantage against the Albin, and the engine gives White a slight edge.

Black often answers by castling queenside and aiming pieces at White's king, as in 5...Be6 6. Nbd2 Qd7 7. Bg2 O-O-O 8. O-O Bh3, where the bishop offers to trade off White's fianchettoed bishop. On Lichess the most popular reply is 5...Bg4, which develops the bishop and eyes the f3-knight. The engine prefers 5...Nge7, which can bring the knight to g6 to attack the e5-pawn. The Be6 and Bf5 lines are the other named choices. White scores somewhat better than Black in practice.