The Trompowsky Attack: A Dynamic Opening Choice

Introduction

The Trompowsky Attack is an aggressive and flexible opening choice for White that arises after the moves:

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5

This early bishop sortie immediately targets Black’s knight on f6, challenging Black’s central control and piece development. Unlike more classical openings, where White prioritizes rapid center occupation with pawns, the Trompowsky focuses on piece activity and provokes imbalances early in the game.

The Trompowsky Attack is especially popular among players who seek to avoid heavily analyzed mainlines and prefer to steer the game into uncharted territory. It has been played at all levels of chess, from club players to world champions.

Historical Origins

The Trompowsky Attack is named after the Brazilian chess master Octávio Trompowsky (1897–1984), who was one of the first notable players to employ it frequently in tournament play. Though it was not widely used in the early 20th century, Trompowsky’s games demonstrated the opening’s potential as a viable weapon against conventional defenses.

After Trompowsky’s pioneering efforts, the opening gained sporadic attention but was not widely played at the highest levels until the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Grandmasters began to appreciate its ability to sidestep deeply prepared mainlines in the Indian and Grünfeld Defenses, making it a useful tool in modern chess.

Variations and Key Ideas

The Trompowsky Attack leads to multiple variations, depending on how Black responds to White’s second move.

1. The Classical 2…d5 (Main Line)

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 d5

By playing 2…d5, Black immediately fights for the center. White can then choose several approaches:

• 3. Bxf6 exf6 – White immediately captures on f6, weakening Black’s pawn structure but conceding the bishop pair. Black often plays …c6 and …e6 to stabilize the center.
• 3. e3 – White develops solidly, preparing c4 and Nc3 to build a classical center.

2. The Counterattacking 2…Ne4 Variation

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 Ne4

Here, Black challenges the bishop immediately by attacking it with the knight.

• 3. Bf4 – White retreats, maintaining control over e5 and keeping tension in the position.
• 3. h4 – A sharp, aggressive option where White tries to trap the knight after …h6.
• 3. Bh4 – White maintains the bishop and prepares to fianchetto with g3 and Bg2.

This variation often leads to dynamic, double-edged positions, making it a favorite choice for players who enjoy tactical play.

3. The 2…c5 Variation (Pseudo-Benoni Setup)

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 c5

Here, Black immediately challenges White’s central control, often transposing into Benoni-style positions. White can respond with:

• 3. d5 – Entering a pseudo-Benoni structure, where White aims to control space.
• 3. Nc3 – Developing naturally and preparing to support the center with e4.

This variation is particularly useful for players who enjoy hypermodern strategies and unconventional pawn structures.

4. The 2…g6 Variation (King’s Indian Setup)

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 g6

Black fianchettos the king’s bishop, aiming for a flexible King’s Indian setup. White can:

• 3. Bxf6 exf6 – White weakens Black’s kingside but gives up the bishop pair.
• 3. Nd2 – White keeps options open, potentially preparing e4.
• 3. c3 – Preparing to build a solid pawn center with e3 and d4.

This variation often leads to slower, maneuvering battles rather than sharp tactical play.

Notable Grandmasters Who Have Played the Trompowsky Attack

In modern chess, several elite players have employed the Trompowsky Attack, particularly as a surprise weapon:

• Magnus Carlsen – The reigning World Champion has used the Trompowsky in rapid and blitz games to sidestep opponent preparation.
• Vladimir Kramnik – Known for his deep opening repertoire, Kramnik has played the Trompowsky to avoid deep Grünfeld and Indian Defense preparations.
• Michael Adams – A British grandmaster who has consistently used the Trompowsky as part of his repertoire.
• Hikaru Nakamura – Known for his dynamic and aggressive style, Nakamura has used the Trompowsky in various formats, including online play.

Famous Games Featuring the Trompowsky Attack

1. Magnus Carlsen vs. Vishy Anand (2014, World Championship Game 1)

Carlsen opened with the Trompowsky Attack in the first game of the 2014 World Chess Championship. The opening surprised Anand, who was expecting more mainstream 1. d4 variations. The game eventually transitioned into a complex middlegame where Carlsen demonstrated strong positional play to win the game.

2. Vladimir Kramnik vs. Levon Aronian (2013, Candidates Tournament)

Kramnik employed the Trompowsky to avoid Aronian’s deep preparation in the Grünfeld Defense. The game saw Kramnik gaining early space and control over the center, leading to a strategic advantage.

3. Hikaru Nakamura vs. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2021, Online Blitz Tournament)

In a fast-paced online game, Nakamura used the Trompowsky to reach an unbalanced position early, leading to a tactical battle where he outplayed MVL.

Grandmaster Opinions on the Trompowsky Attack

• Magnus Carlsen: “The Trompowsky is a great way to take your opponent out of preparation and play a game on your own terms.”
• Vladimir Kramnik: “It’s an excellent weapon when you want to surprise your opponent, but it requires good understanding of the resulting structures.”
• Hikaru Nakamura: “The Trompowsky is fun to play, and in faster time controls, it can lead to unpredictable and tricky positions.”

Conclusion

The Trompowsky Attack is an excellent opening choice for players looking to avoid mainline theory while still playing aggressively. Its flexibility allows White to tailor their playstyle to their opponent, whether aiming for positional mastery or tactical fireworks. With continued use by top players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, the Trompowsky remains a strong choice in the modern chess landscape.

By studying its key variations, understanding grandmaster-level games, and practicing its strategic ideas, any player can add the Trompowsky Attack to their opening repertoire as a surprise weapon or even as a primary option.