Trompowsky Attack Guide

The Trompowsky Attack is a chess opening for white that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5. White immediately attacks the knight and forces black to make a decision - to get their pawns doubled or not. The Trompowsky Attack is a great choice for players that want to stay away from the Queen’s Gambit but still want to play 1.d4. The Trompowsky is easy-to learn because it doesn’t involve learning too much theory, and gives the player with white the chance to play in an attacking or positional way, depending on the lines they choose. This opening is named after Octavio Trompowsky, a Brazilian champion who popularized it in the 1930s and 1940s.

Main Ideas in the Trompowsky Attack

Black’s second move will determine what kind of game it will be. Black has several options of responding to the Trompowsky Attack. The main ones are 2…Ne4, 2…d5, 2…e6, 2…c5, and 2…g6.

Since 2.Bg5, white is threatening to damage black’s pawn structure by playing BxN.

Although black can avoid this, they do not always do it.

Even though the Trompowsky is significantly less played than 2.c4 and 2.Nf3, it scores really well against black, and is a sound opening.

Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen, Nakamura, and Duda and only a few of the top masters to have used the Trompowsky Attack in their games.

Most Played Moves in the Trompowsky Attack

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4

The Trompowsky Attack has been played, and black decided to move their knight to the center and attack the bishop.

3.Bf4 c5

White retreats their bishop, black strikes in the center.

4.f3 Qa5

Before moving their knight, black complicates the position a bit with a check.

5.c3 Nf6

6.Nd2 cxd4

Before capturing, white improves their knight.

7.Nb3 Qb6

8.Qxd4

2…Ne4

This is the most popular black’s response to the Trompowsky Attack.

After 2…Ne4, white has three main options: 3.Bf4, 3.Bh4, and 3.h4.

This last option is one of the most aggressive alternatives for white. Play usually continues with 3…c5 4.dxc5 Na6 5.Nd2

2...d5

This is a natural move by black, that occupies the center with their d pawn. This is one of the variations that allows white to take on f6 and double black’s pawns. This, however, allows black to keep the bishop pair.

2...e6

This is a flexible move by black that avoids doubling the pawns and frees the dark-squared bishop.

2...c5

Aggressive choice by black, that immediately strikes in the center.

2...g6

Black will play with a fianchetto on the kingside, regardless of the fact that white can take on f6 and double their pawns.

Model Games

Related Chess Courses

Trompowsky Attack by GM Damian Lemos

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A45 Sub-variants:

• Queen's pawn game
  1. d4 Nf6
• Queen's pawn, Bronstein gambit
  1. d4 Nf6 2. g4
• Canard opening
  1. d4 Nf6 2. f4
• Paleface attack
  1. d4 Nf6 2. f3
• Blackmar-Diemer gambit
  1. d4 Nf6 2. f3 d5 3. e4
• Gedult attack
  1. d4 Nf6 2. f3 d5 3. g4
• Trompovsky attack (Ruth, Opovcensky opening)
  1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5