ChessThe Trompowsky Attack is 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5. Black has just developed the knight to f6, and White immediately brings the bishop to g5 to press on it, ready to take the knight and mess up Black's pawns. The name is long, so most people just call it "the Tromp." Its strength is that it puts your opponent in unfamiliar positions early, and it's a fun one to try when you play free online chess.
Moves and position
1. d4 Nf6White takes the center, and Black develops the knight first, keeping lots of options open (King's Indian, Nimzo-Indian and so on).2. Bg5White skips c4 and brings the bishop out at once, aiming at the knight on f6.
Why press on the knight? If the white bishop takes on f6, Black has to recapture with the e-pawn or the g-pawn, and the pawn structure gets ugly. That's called "doubled pawns." Black either accepts it or spends a move moving the knight.
What White wants
- Throw off the opponent's preparation: Many players with Black only prepare for lines after c4. With the bishop out on move two, they have to think for themselves.
- Trade bishop for knight and damage the pawns: Take the f6 knight and Black ends up with doubled or isolated pawns.
- Push e4 later to take the center: Once the black knight has been chased off or traded, White often brings the e-pawn up too and holds the center with two pawns.
What Black wants
Black's three most common answers:
2... Ne4: The knight jumps to the center and attacks the white bishop directly, so it can't make the trade. This is the most active answer.2... e6: Lets the queen protect f6. Even if the knight is taken, the queen recaptures and the pawns stay healthy.2... d5: Takes the center as usual and doesn't mind the knight trade.
Whatever Black chooses, remember: once White's bishop leaves c1, the b2 pawn has one less defender, and the black queen can often go looking for chances there.
Main lines
Knight to the center: 2... Ne4
This is the main Trompowsky position. The knight on e4 really stands out, and White chases it back with f3. Black uses the moment to make trouble on the queenside with c5 and Qa5+, and White has to remember that the b2 and c3 area is a bit weak.
Let the queen protect: 2... e6
White gets two pawns in the center and Black gets the bishop pair. White usually follows up with knights to c3 and f3 to hold the center, and Black looks to hit White's center with c5 or d6.
Not afraid of doubled pawns: 2... d5
Black's pawns are worse, but Black gets the bishop pair, and the f8 bishop has an open road. White develops steadily with e3, c4 and Nc3 and then looks for ways to use Black's doubled pawns. It's a very typical "pawn structure versus bishop pair" position.
A common trap: grabbing c5 too fast and getting caught by a queen check
In the 2... Ne4 line, after Black pushes c5, White has to watch out for the queen check if White greedily takes the pawn:
The handiest block seems to be the queen on d2, but the black knight on e4 is watching exactly that square:
Blocking with the knight on c3 is also a problem: after 5. Nc3 the black knight takes on c3. If White recaptures with the b-pawn, the black queen takes on c3, again with check, while also eyeing the rook on a1. White's queenside falls apart in a moment.
What White should do: block the check with 5. c3. Black wins back the c5 pawn and the position is still balanced. Better yet, don't take the pawn on move four at all, and follow the main line with 4. f3 to chase the knight away first. Remember: when you're in check, first look at the square you want to block on and see if an enemy piece is watching it.
Who it suits
- Players who want to avoid heavy theory: With the bishop out on move two, much of your opponent's opening book doesn't apply.
- Players who like unbalanced positions: It often turns into "pawn structure versus bishop pair," with chances for both sides.
- Players who already know the London System: Both bring the queenside bishop out early. The ideas are close, with a bit more attacking punch.
It's a close relative of the London System. Both bring the queenside bishop out early after 1. d4. The London puts it on f4 and builds a setup, while the Tromp puts it on g5 and presses on the knight right away.
FAQ
Where does the name Trompowsky come from?
One story says it comes from a Brazilian player who played this opening often in tournaments, so people named it after him. The name is long, so many people just say "the Tromp."
What is Black's most solid answer?
2... e6 is very solid: the queen can always recapture on f6, so the pawns stay healthy. If you want to be more active, 2... Ne4 chases the bishop right away, but remember that a knight in the center can also be chased by White's pawns.
Doesn't White give up the bishop pair by trading bishop for knight?
Yes, White does give up the bishop pair. In return, Black's pawn structure gets worse and White can take the center faster. It's a trade, not a loss.
Try it yourself
Use the button below to start a game against the computer from the Trompowsky, and see how your opponent answers when the knight is hit on move two. For other openings, go back to the openings guide. For something different, head back to the play chess vs computer home page.
Play this opening against the computer