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Trompowsky Attack A45

Early Bg5 sidesteps the main lines

Final position of the Trompowsky Attack main line

Main Line (2…Ne4)

White plays 2.Bg5 immediately, avoiding the vast theory of 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 and 2.Nf3. An independent system that puts early pressure on Black's knight and leads to unbalanced play.

The Trompowsky Attack is a great weapon for players who want to avoid the vast theory of 1.d4 systems. 2.Bg5 immediately creates an independent position that takes Black out of their preparation. It's tricky, sound, and leads to unbalanced positions from move two.

Key strategic ideas

  • 2.Bg5 immediately disrupts Black's normal development. The bishop pins the knight and cannot be ignored.
  • White avoids the huge amount of theory in 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 lines. Black is forced into unfamiliar positions from move 2.
  • The bishop on g5 does multiple jobs: it pins the f6 knight, eyes the queenside, and can be traded for the knight to double Black's pawns.

Common mistakes & traps

  • After 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.d5 Qb6 5.Qd2, if Black tries ...Nxf2? 6.Kxf2 Qxb2+ 7.Ke3! the king escapes and Black's queen is trapped.
  • The main trap for Black: 2...d5 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3 Bd6 5.g3. White has a pleasant position with better pawn structure and a dark-square strategy.

Pawn structure notes

White's d4-e3 (or d4-c4) against Black's d5. If Bxf6 is played, Black gets doubled f-pawns which are a permanent weakness. White avoids the isolated pawn problems of some d4 systems.

Name origin

Named after Octávio Trompowsky, a Brazilian chess player known for his aggressive, unconventional style. He played and popularised 2.Bg5 in Brazilian tournaments in the 1930s-40s.

Famous practitioners & games

Octávio Trompowsky, Julian Hodgson, Ivan Cheparinov, Anton Korobov

Julian Hodgson vs Michael Adams
British Championship · 1991 · 1-0

Hodgson, a leading Trompowsky exponent, defeated Adams in a sharp theoretical battle.
Ivan Cheparinov vs Veselin Topalov
FIDE Grand Prix · 2014 · 1-0

Cheparinov's Trompowsky preparation earned a smooth victory against his fellow Bulgarian.

Lines

Main Line (2…Ne4) intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 Ne4
3. Bf4 c5
4. f3 Nf6
5. d5
Black challenges the bishop immediately with 2…Ne4. White retreats to f4, and after 4.f3 chases the knight back. White then advances d5 for a space advantage.
Practice
Classical Response (2…e6) intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 e6
3. e4 h6
4. Bxf6 Qxf6
5. Nc3
Black plays 2…e6, keeping a solid structure. After 3.e4 h6 White trades the bishop for the knight. Black recaptures with the queen, winning the bishop pair.
Practice
2…d5 Variation intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 d5
3. Bxf6 exf6
4. e3
Black plays 2…d5, occupying the centre immediately. White exchanges on f6, giving Black the bishop pair in exchange for central space.
Practice
2...c5 Variation advanced
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 c5
3. d5 Qb6
4. Bxf6 gxf6
5. Nc3 Qxb2
6. Qd3 Bh6
7. Rb1 Qa3
8. e3 Bg7
9. Nf3 d6
10. Be2 O-O
11. O-O
Black immediately challenges White's centre with ...c5. The resulting sharp play sees Black grabbing material on b2 while White gets development and open files as compensation.
Practice
2...g6 Variation intermediate
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 g6
3. Bxf6 exf6
4. Nc3 d5
5. e3 Bg7
6. Qd2 O-O
7. O-O-O Be6
Black fianchettoes against the Trompowsky. White immediately trades bishop for knight, giving Black doubled f-pawns but the bishop pair. Castling on opposite sides creates a sharp race.
Practice