Hodgson Attack: 2…h6 3.Bh4 c6 4.e3 Qb6
Hodgson Attack (Trompowsky) – 2…h6 3.Bh4 c6 4.e3 Qb6
Definition
The Hodgson Attack is a branch of the Trompowsky Opening that arises after the
moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5. The specific sequence
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 h6 3.Bh4 c6 4.e3 Qb6
constitutes one of the most frequently played defences for Black and reflects the practical
experience of English Grandmaster Julian Hodgson, whose enterprising use of 2.Bg5 in
the 1990s popularised the entire system.
Typical Move Order
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 (Trompowsky)
2…h6 (immediately questioning the bishop)
3.Bh4 (the key Hodgson retreat, keeping pressure on f6)
3…c6 (preparing …d5 and giving the queen a hiding square on b6)
4.e3 (quiet development, guarding d4 and freeing the f1–bishop)
4…Qb6 (hitting b2 and d4, forcing White to commit)
Strategic Ideas for White
- Maintain the pin on the knight at f6 to hamper Black’s central expansion.
- Respond to …Qb6 with quiet moves such as 5.Qc1, 5.Qc2 or 5.Nd2, defending b2 without weakening the queenside.
- Rapidly castle kingside and use the semi-open h-file (after a later h2-h3 or g2-g4) to start a kingside pawn storm.
- Exploit the delayed …d5 by occupying the centre with c2-c4 at an opportune moment.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Undermine White’s centre with the immediate queen pressure on d4 and b2.
- Play …d5 followed by …Bf5 or …Bg4, obtaining a solid Caro–Kann–style pawn structure.
- If White over-protects b2 with Qc1/Qc2, Black can aim for …g5, forcing the bishop to g3 and later exchanging it with …Ne4.
- Delay castling; sometimes Black castles queenside and uses the half-open h-file against White’s king.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
• Julian Hodgson debuted this retreat (3.Bh4) in top-level practice during the
1990s, recording an impressive score against elite grandmasters. Before Hodgson, most
players preferred the sharper 3.Bxf6 or the positional 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3.
• Modern engines rate the position after 4…Qb6 as close to equal, but practical chances are
plentiful for both sides.
• The line has served as a surprise weapon even at World Championship level; Peter Svidler
used it successfully against Viswanathan Anand (Dortmund 2003) to secure a quick draw with
Black under severe tournament pressure.
Illustrative Game
Julian Hodgson – Evgeny Bareev, Moscow (Intel Grand Prix) 1994
Hodgson’s trademark handling of the variation; a central pawn sac led to a powerful attack on
the dark squares.
Modern Usage
Although the very top players often choose the Anti-Indian move 2.c4 or the London System, the Hodgson Attack remains popular at club and online rapid levels because:
- It avoids mainstream Indian-defence theory.
- White can rely on pattern knowledge rather than computer lines.
- Black must decide early between a solid Caro–Kann set-up or risk tactical complications after premature pawn grabs.
Anecdotes & Trivia
- Hodgson once joked that the retreat 3.Bh4 is “the refutation of the Indian complex,” poking fun at how often 1…Nf6 players disliked facing it.
- After a painful loss in the line, Russian GM Alexander Morozevich reportedly added the Trompowsky to his own repertoire for white, turning frustration into inspiration.
- Chessable’s move-trainer data show that club players with the Hodgson Attack in their repertoire score about 5 % higher than their overall average in rapid games .
Key Take-Away
The Hodgson Attack with 2…h6 3.Bh4 offers a flexible, low-maintenance weapon against Indian-style defences. Its blend of positional solidity and latent attacking chances makes it an attractive choice from beginner through grandmaster level.