Chessstack

Trompowsky Attack

ECO code
A45
Moves
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About the Trompowsky Attack

The Trompowsky Attack (1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5) attacks the knight on f6 at once and sidesteps the main lines of the Indian defenses.

White develops the bishop before playing c4 or Nf3 and is often happy to give it up with Bxf6 for a lead in development or a better pawn structure. Black's main replies are 2...Ne4, chasing the bishop, 2...e6, keeping the structure healthy, and 2...c5 or 2...d5, striking at the center.

Main ideas

For White

  • Develop the bishop to g5 before c4 or Nf3, avoiding the main Indian defense systems.
  • Give up the bishop with Bxf6 when it leaves Black with doubled pawns or gains time for a big center.
  • After 2...Ne4, choose between 3. Bf4, 3. Bh4 and the aggressive 3. h4, and drive the knight away with f3.
  • Use quick development and the e4 push to get a lead in the center.

For Black

  • Meet 2. Bg5 with 2...e6 to recapture on f6 with the queen and keep a healthy structure.
  • Chase the bishop with 2...Ne4 and aim for the bishop pair with ...g5 or ...Nxg5.
  • Strike at the center with 2...c5 or 2...d5, and use ...Qb6 to pressure b2.
  • Open the position later to make the bishop pair count.

Pawn structure

The Trompowsky has no fixed pawn structure. After Bxf6, Black often has the bishop pair and a solid but slightly passive position, while White has a lead in development and central space. After 2...c5 3. d5, the structure resembles a Benoni with White's dark-squared bishop already developed. After 2...Ne4, the game often becomes unbalanced, with White's big center against Black's bishop pair.

Traps and common mistakes

The queen hunt on b2

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3 Qxb2 5. Bd2

After 4...Qxb2 5. Bd2, White threatens Rb1, chasing the queen. Black should retreat at once with 5...Qb6, and White has lasting compensation for the pawn. Slower moves such as 5...a6 6. Rb1 Qa3 leave the queen out of play and give White good chances. Black should know this before grabbing the pawn.

Castling into the h-file

In the Raptor Variation, after ...Nxg5 hxg5, the h-file is open for White's rook. If Black castles short too early, White can attack quickly with Qd3 and Rh3, or by doubling on the h-file. Black should delay castling or castle long.

Who should play the Trompowsky Attack?

Players with White who want to avoid the main lines of the Indian defenses and like unbalanced positions. It suits players who are happy to give up the bishop pair for a lead in development and central space. The Trompowsky has less theory than the main 1. d4 openings, so it is a practical choice for players with limited study time.

History

Named after Octávio Trompowsky, a Brazilian champion who played it in the 1930s and 1940s. It was rare at top level until the 1980s and 1990s, when the English grandmaster Julian Hodgson made it his main weapon. Antoaneta Stefanova is a regular user, and Magnus Carlsen played it in the first game of his 2016 World Championship match against Sergey Karjakin.

Trompowsky Attack statistics

The Trompowsky Attack was reached in 281.4K master games (1.3% of all master games), and White scored 52% from there.

Master games

281.4K

1.3% of games between players rated 2500+

White wins Draws Black wins

Most common next moves in master games

MoveGamesPlayedResults
2... d573,16126%
2... Ne470,15125%
2... e665,73423%
2... c535,40613%
2... g626,2989.3%

Master games from the Chessmont database (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Main variations

  • Classical Defense

    A45 · 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6

    Black plays 2...e6, so that a trade on f6 can be met with ...Qxf6. It is the most solid reply.

  • Edge Variation

    A45 · 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bh4

    After 2...Ne4, White retreats with 3. Bh4, keeping the bishop and preparing f3 to drive the knight away.

  • Raptor Variation

    A45 · 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. h4

    After 2...Ne4, White plays 3. h4!?, defending the bishop with the h-pawn and inviting ...Nxg5 hxg5 with an open h-file.

  • Poisoned Pawn Variation

    A45 · 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3

    After 2...c5 3. d5 Qb6, White offers the b2 pawn with 4. Nc3. Taking it leads to sharp play.

Related openings

  • London System

    D02 · 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4

    The London System (1. d4 followed by Bf4, e3 and Nf3) is a set-up opening that White can play against almost any defense.

  • Queen's Gambit

    D06 · 1. d4 d5 2. c4

    The Queen's Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4) offers a wing pawn to pull Black's d-pawn away from the center.

  • Benoni Defense

    A56 · 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5

    The Benoni Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5) challenges White's center at once and leads to unbalanced pawn structures with chances for both sides.