Trompowsky Attack
Also known as Trompowsky, Tromp
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5
The Trompowsky meets 1...Nf6 with 2.Bg5, pinning and harrying the knight on move two. White sidesteps reams of mainstream theory and steers play into fresh, original positions where understanding beats memorisation.
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
Use Play, the arrows, or click a move to step through.
What it does
After 1.d4 Nf6 White immediately plays 2.Bg5, developing the dark-squared bishop and attacking the f6-knight before Black can settle into a favourite defence. Depending on Black's reply, White may trade the bishop for the knight to damage the pawn structure, or retreat and build a flexible setup with e3, c-pawn moves and quick development. It avoids the heavily analysed Nimzo, King's Indian and Queen's Gambit roads entirely.
When to use it
Reach for the Trompowsky when you want a 1.d4 opening that dodges huge bodies of theory and drags opponents into unfamiliar ground on move two. It suits players who enjoy practical, idea-driven chess over rote lines, and it is a fine surprise weapon at club and online level where many opponents are well-prepared against the main systems but not against the Tromp.
Why it works
By committing the bishop early, White poses concrete questions at once: defend the knight, kick the bishop, or allow Bxf6 doubling Black's pawns. Many natural-looking replies hand White the bishop pair or a structural edge. Because the resulting middlegames hinge on plans rather than forced theory, the better-prepared side is often whoever understands the typical structures, which the Trompowsky player has chosen on purpose.
Key ideas
- Develop the bishop and pressure f6 before Black can settle
- Trade Bxf6 to give Black doubled or weakened pawns when it helps
- Keep the bishop on the active f4-c1 diagonal after Ne4
- Build a flexible centre with e3, c3 or c4 and quick development
- Aim for the bishop pair and clear plans over heavy theory
- Watch the c5 and e5 breaks that challenge your big pawn centre
Watch out
After 2...Ne4 the careless 3.Bf4 d5 4.f3?! is double-edged: 4...Qh4+ hits g3 and forces 5.g3 Nxg3, when 6.hxg3? Qxh1 wins the rook, so White must play accurately. More simply, after 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3 Qa5+! Black's queen can win the loose b2-pawn if White is not alert. Know these checks before you wing it.