Indian Game Tartakower Attack
Indian Game — Tartakower Attack
Definition
The Tartakower Attack is a system for White arising after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 (or 2…e6) 3. Bg5. It belongs to the family of Indian Games (openings that start with 1.d4 Nf6) and is frequently classed under ECO codes A48–A49. The early dark-square bishop pin on g5 aims to disrupt Black’s usual King’s Indian, Grünfeld, or Nimzo- and Bogo-Indian set-ups before they fully crystallise, steering the game into less-theoretical, strategically rich channels.
Typical Move Order
Most often reached by:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 g6 (or 2…e6)
- 3. Bg5 — the Tartakower Attack
Other transpositions are common. For example 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bg5 or even 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nf3. In all cases the signature position is White’s bishop on g5 pinning a knight that has no pawn on c6 to hide behind.
Strategic Purpose
- Early Pin: By pinning the f6-knight, White hinders …d5 and …e5 breaks, slowing Black’s central counterplay.
- Development Lead: White often castles quickly, develops simply (e2–e3, Nbd2, Bd3), and looks for a kingside initiative with h2-h4–h5 or a central strike with e2-e4.
- Flexible Structure: Because c2-c4 is delayed, Black cannot be sure whether the game will resemble a King’s Indian, a Torre Attack, or a Colle-style set-up until several moves later.
- Psychological Weapon: The line side-steps the heavy theory of the main King’s Indian or Grünfeld and can force Black into positions that many players find unfamiliar.
Main Replies for Black
- 3…Bg7 continuing King’s Indian development. After 4.Nbd2 d6 5.e4 h6 6.Bh4 g5 Black tries to unpin and seize space.
- 3…Ne4 directly challenges the bishop: 4.Bh4 c5 aims at a Grünfeld-like structure.
- 3…d5 heading for a Queen’s Gambit Declined set-up where the bishop on g5 has already taken its optimal square.
- 3…c5 an immediate Benoni / Benko hybrid attempt.
Historical Significance
Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower (1887-1956) championed the line in the 1920s and 30s, scoring notable successes against classical defenders who were reluctant to break the pin early with …h6 or …Ne4. The system has since been employed by elite players such as Boris Spassky, Mikhail Tal, Julio Granda Z., and more recently Vladimir Kramnik as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
An attacking model showing typical ideas (shortened for space):
[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|Nf3|g6|Bg5|Bg7|Nbd2|d5|e3|O-O|Bd3|c5|c3|Nc6|O-O|b6|Re1|Bb7|h3|Re8| Rc1|e5|dxe5|Nxe5|Nxe5|Rxe5|Bf4|Re7|c4|h6|Bh2|Qd7|cxd5|Qxd5|Bf1|Qxa2|e4 |arrows|g5f6 d4d5|squares|e4 d5]]White used the pin to build a safe centre, then opened the position with e3-e4 once his pieces were harmoniously placed. Black’s minor disco-ordination on the queenside proved fatal.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Castle kingside swiftly.
- Play e2-e3 and sometimes Nbd2-e5 to clamp the centre.
- Advance the h-pawn (h2-h4-h5) to pry open dark squares if Black has fianchettoed.
- When Black plays …d5 early, consider a quiet Torre/Colle set-up with c3, Nbd2, Qe2, Rad1 followed by e4.
- For Black
- Break the pin with …h6 and …g5 or …Ne4 and …d5.
- Counter-attack in the centre: …c5, …d5, or …e5 depending on move order.
- Keep an eye on the e4 push; timely …d6 or …d5 controls that square.
Example Tactics to Know
- Pin-Break Trick: After …h6 4.Bf4? g5! 5.Bg3? Ne4 traps the bishop.
- Greek Gift Motif: With the Black king castled short and the knight on f6 pinned, Bxh7+ sacrifices can become viable surprisingly early.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Tartakower’s humorous remark “The winner of the game is the player who makes the next-to-last mistake” was first cited after one of his early successes with this very attack.
- Because the line can transpose into the Torre Attack, beginners sometimes call it “Torre-Tartakower.” In strict ECO terminology, however, the Torre begins with 2.Bg5 while the Tartakower Attack starts with 3.Bg5 after 2.Nf3.
- GM Julio Granda famously defeated GM Peter Leko (Cap d’Agde rapid 1998) by launching an unstoppable h-pawn roller in this variation.
Why Choose the Tartakower Attack?
Players who relish solid development plus latent kingside attacking chances will feel at home. The lines are strategically complex yet theoretically less explored than main-line King’s Indians, giving ample room for original play.