Black seems to be holding pretty well in the 5 Nbd2 email games with 9...g6 in the database that I look at, all 10 draws, including one game where both were 2500+ and 8 where both were in the 2300/2400 range  .  But I don't know if it's maybe more of a passion project for the Black players than the White ones.  You still suspect Black is just fighting to draw though -- I don't know why you'd go for this over another opening except to gamble your opponent won't play it?

l'Ami in the NIC YB 131 advocates in the 12 Nbd2 Bd7 13 a4 line to play 13... c6 14 bxc6 Bxc6 and says "Black will aim for a 4 vs 3 scenario on the kingside where the drawing margin is quite real."

Doesn't look the Albin is a lot of fun if White knows what he's doing, but it does seem if you want to use it a surprise weapon particularly in shorter time controls, you can take a bit of solace in the fact White doesn't seem to have a complete tactical refutation and probably knows much less about it than you do.

I'm quite interested to see two different users post that 5. Nbd2 is the real buzz kill, as I was under the impression than 5. a3 was if anything even more unpleasant for black. Does black have anything better than suffering in the endgame after 5... Nge7 6. b4 Ng6 7. Bb2 a5 8. b5 Ncxe5 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxc4 11. e3 Nd6 12. Nbd2? White has scored superbly at all levels from internet blitz to ICCF correspondence and superficial engine evaluations give white a very healthy plus. Of course it wouldn't surprise me if 5. Nbd2 was equally good for white - against a move like 2... e5 you'd expect there to be more than one good option.

If one has a closer look at any book or dvd on a risky opening variation it nearly allways comes to one clear point:

You need a mistake or at least an inaccuracy by the oponent to get things going.

With best moves you may end in problems. But as I watch, best moves doe not come in high frequency. A lot of oponents concede the needed inaccuracys...

fdunne wrote on 11/12/19 at 21:22:08:

Thank you mn!

Do any of you have this DVD from Lawrence Trent and what is your opinion about/of it? (I don't know what is the correct English )