Albin Countergambit, Tartakower Defense

The Tartakower Defense is a branch of the Albin Countergambit in which Black answers 4. Nf3 with 4...c5 instead of the usual 4...Nc6. The c-pawn props up the wedge on d4 directly, but the move gives up the ...Bb4+ resource that punishes an early e3 in other lines. White can therefore play 5. e3 at once and challenge d4 without fear of the tactics behind the Lasker Trap. This is by far the most frequent reply. The main alternatives are 5. g3, a kingside fianchetto, and 5. b4, which strikes at c5 to undermine the support of the d-pawn.

White keeps the extra pawn on e5, although the e-pawns are doubled. The engine rates the position as a clear advantage for White and also suggests 5. Na3 and 5. h3. In online play the results are far closer than that verdict implies: White is only slightly ahead and draws are rare. The line is a comparatively uncommon choice among named openings.