He advocates for the Albin Countergambit (2...e5) . By sacrificing a pawn to plant a "bold d4 pawn," Black disrupts White’s natural development and forces them onto unfamiliar ground. Why It Works (And Who It’s For)
If you’re tired of the "dreary positional subtleties" often found in modern opening theory, GM Nigel Davies has a proposition for you: .
The book focuses almost exclusively on two highly aggressive responses that turn the tables on White from move two or three: Gambiteer 2 Repertoire For Black Nigel Davies [...
In his 2007 book, Gambiteer II: A Hard-Hitting Chess Opening Repertoire for Black , Davies argues that White’s most popular setups—the Ruy Lopez and the Queen’s Gambit—aren't actually optimal from a development perspective. Instead of playing into White's hands, he offers a repertoire designed to seize the initiative immediately through "open warfare" and sharp tactical play.
It is important to note that Gambiteer II is . While it provides deep coverage of the Albin and Schliemann, it doesn't offer answers for every possibility, such as the Scotch or early sidelines like 2.Nf3. Think of it as a specialized manual for those who want to "let slip the dogs of war" whenever White plays the most common main lines. Gambiteer II: Davies, Nigel - Amazon.com He advocates for the Albin Countergambit (2
Davies’ approach is built on the idea that many amateur players—and even some masters—are uncomfortable when forced to defend against early, direct attacks.
Davies uses extensive analysis, including many correspondence games, to prove these gambits are more than just "hope chess"—they are theoretically resilient weapons. A Word of Caution: Is It "Complete"? The book focuses almost exclusively on two highly
Davies recommends the Schliemann Gambit (3...f5) . This provocative move immediately challenges White's center and leads to bloodthirsty positions where the better-prepared player usually triumphs.