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A45Play as White2 lines to train

Learn the Trompowsky Attack

An early Bg5 system that disrupts Black’s normal Indian-defense development. White aims to use the pin to create structural concessions before building the center.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. e3

1.d41…Nf62.Bg52…Ne43.Bf43…d54.e3

The idea

Why this opening works

The Trompowsky Attack gives White a clear route to use the pin to create structural concessions before building the center. Its recurring positions revolve around the f6 knight, doubled pawns, and flexible center formation, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 7 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 6 positions

  1. Position 1 of 6

    1.d4

    d2 → d4

    d4 begins the Trompowsky Attack plan: use the pin to create structural concessions before building the center.

  2. Position 2 of 6

    2.Bg5

    c1 → g5

    Bg5 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  3. Position 3 of 6

    3.Bf4

    g5 → f4

    Bf4 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  4. Position 4 of 6

    4.e3

    e2 → e3

    e3 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  5. Position 5 of 6

    3.e4

    e2 → e4

    e4 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  6. Position 6 of 6

    4.Bxf6

    g5 → f6

    Bxf6 clarifies the tension while improving piece activity or pawn structure for the next phase.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. e3
Line 21. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6

Quick answers

Trompowsky Attack questions

What is the Trompowsky Attack?

An early Bg5 system that disrupts Black’s normal Indian-defense development. White aims to use the pin to create structural concessions before building the center. The Trompowsky Attack gives White a clear route to use the pin to create structural concessions before building the center. Its recurring positions revolve around the f6 knight, doubled pawns, and flexible center formation, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Trompowsky Attack?

This trainer starts with 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. e3. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Trompowsky Attack good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

D06Queen's GambitWhite offers a pawn to gain central control. A cornerstone of 1.d4 play.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Bd3D00London SystemA flexible system for White. Easy to learn, hard to refute.1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3E60King's Indian DefenseHypermodern defense letting White build a center, then counterattacking.1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Trompowsky Attack from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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