Hodgson Attack, 2...h6
Hodgson Attack
Definition
The Hodgson Attack is a Queen’s-Pawn opening that begins with the moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5.
It is better known internationally as the Trompowsky Attack, named after the Brazilian master Octávio Trompowsky.
Because English Grandmaster Julian Hodgson made the line a centerpiece of his repertoire in the 1980s-90s, it is often called the Hodgson Attack in the United Kingdom and many online databases.
Key Ideas & Usage
- Early Bishop Pin/Pressure: By pinning or threatening to double Black’s f-pawns, White immediately asks how Black intends to develop the kingside.
- Sidestepping Main Theory: 2.Bg5 avoids the vast body of theory after 2.c4 and 2.Nf3 and often steers play into unfamiliar territory.
- Flexible Pawn Structure: White can decide on c2-c4, e2-e3, or even a later f2-f3 depending on Black’s reply.
- Strategic Objective: Create dynamic imbalances (doubled f-pawns, the two bishops, weakened dark squares) rather than a direct attack on the king in the opening stage.
Main Black Replies
- 2…Ne4 – the most popular; chases the bishop and fights for the dark squares.
- 2…d5 – transposes to Queen’s-Pawn structures with the bishop outside the pawn chain.
- 2…e6 or 2…c5 – aiming for French or Benoni-style positions.
- 2…h6 – the topic of the next entry, immediately questioning the bishop.
Historical & Practical Significance
Julian Hodgson scored heavily with the line against grandmaster opposition, famously beating players such as John Nunn, Sergei Tiviakov and Danny King. Its revival encouraged many club players to adopt the system as an “anti-Indian” weapon, especially in rapid and blitz where surprise value is paramount.
Modern elite players—including Magnus Carlsen, Wesley So and Hikaru Nakamura—occasionally wheel out the opening to avoid deep computer-aided preparation.
Illustrative Game
Interesting Facts
- Hodgson jokingly called his bishop on g5 “Her Majesty’s vacuum cleaner” because it often sucks up the knight on f6, doubling Black’s f-pawns.
- The opening has been used successfully in correspondence and computer chess despite its ostensibly “anti-theoretical” reputation—demonstrating its sound positional basis.
- The ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) codes the Hodgson/Trompowsky family under A45–A46.
2...h6
Definition
In the sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5, the move 2…h6 directly questions the bishop: “Will you exchange on f6, retreat, or try something exotic?”
This line is catalogued as the Trompowsky, h6 Variation (ECO A45) but is colloquially referred to simply by its move number, 2…h6
.
Strategic Purpose
- Force a Decision: Black wants to commit White’s bishop before staking central ground with …d5 or …c5.
- Avoid the Main Line 2…Ne4: Players who dislike the resulting isolated-pawn structures after Ne4 often choose 2…h6 instead.
- Kingside Space: If the bishop retreats to h4 or h5, Black can gain space with …g5, turning the game into a complicated battle reminiscent of certain Dutch or Pirc setups.
- Structural Choice: After 3.Bxf6 exf6 Black accepts doubled f-pawns but gains the bishop pair, open e-file, and faster development.
Typical Continuations
- 3.Bxf6 exf6
- White often plays 4.e3 d5 5.c4. Black’s doubled pawns give central control and long-term attacking chances along the e-file.
- 3.Bh4 g5 4.Bg3
- Sharp play where Black grabs space but weakens dark squares. Ideas include …Bg7, …c5 and a later …Qb6.
- 3.Bd2 – a calm retreat keeping pieces on the board, aiming for e4 later.
Historical Notes
Although less popular than 2…Ne4, the h6 line has been tried by many strong grandmasters, including Vladimir Kramnik, Pentala Harikrishna and Levon Aronian—usually as a surprise weapon.
Example Game
Julian Hodgson – Stuart Conquest, London 1993 (rapid)
Interesting Tidbits
- The move …h6 solves the “what to do with the h-pawn” question early; in many 2…Ne4 lines Black later plays …h6 anyway to prevent Bg5 ideas after the bishop has retreated.
- Because the move weakens the g6 square, engines tend to give a small pull to White, yet practical results are nearly 50-50 in blitz databases.
- Some adventurous Black players follow 2…h6 with a quick …c5 and …Qb6, echoing themes from the Benoni Defense but with the bishop already challenged.