Queen's Pawn: Veresov Attack

Queen's Pawn: Veresov Attack

Definition

The Veresov Attack is a Queen’s Pawn opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 (or 2…g6/2…e6) 3. Bg5. It is also known as the Veresov Opening or Richter–Veresov Attack. Rather than supporting the d-pawn with 2. c4 (as in the Queen’s Gambit), White develops the knight to c3 and pins the f6-knight early, aiming for rapid piece activity and flexible pawn structures.

Typical Move-Order

A common starting sequence is:

Several transpositions are possible:

• 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 (a reverse move order)
• 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. Bg5 d5 transposes to a Grünfeld-like set-up.

Strategic Themes

• Early Pin: The bishop on g5 irritates the knight on f6, discouraging …e7–e6 and making …d5xc4 less attractive because the queen may be left unguarded.
• Flexible Center: White keeps the c-pawn at home, leaving options for c2–c4 (pressuring d5), e2–e4 (King’s Indian Attack style), or even f2–f3 & e2–e4 (Samisch-like thrust).
• Rapid Development: Pieces come out quickly; castling queenside and launching a kingside pawn storm (h2–h4–h5) is a recurring motif.
• Imbalance & Surprise: Because most players prepare for 2. c4, the Veresov can knock opponents out of book early, useful as a practical weapon at every level.

Main Plans for White

• Exchange on f6 (Bxf6) at the right moment to fracture Black’s pawn structure, then target the e6-square or open the g-file after g2–g4.
• Play f3 followed by e4 to build a strong center and possibly transpose into a Pseudo-Samisch (similar to certain French Advance variations).
• Castle long and push h- and g-pawns, leveraging the semi-open h-file created after Bxf6 gxf6.

Typical Defensive Set-ups for Black

• 3…Nbd7 protecting f6 and preparing …c5; can transpose to a Chigorin Defense style after …c7–c5.
• 3…e6 solid but concedes the pin; Black often aims for …Be7 and …c5.
• 3…Bf5 (Tartakower Variation) immediately develops the queen’s bishop outside the pawn chain, disputing control of e4.
• 3…c6 with ideas of …Qb6 and a Caro-Kann flavor.

Historical Background

The opening is named after the Soviet International Master Gavriil Veresov (1912-1979), who employed it extensively in the 1930s–1950s, scoring upset victories against elite contemporaries such as Paul Keres. Earlier, the German master Kurt Richter explored similar ideas, hence the dual title “Richter–Veresov.” Although never a main-line staple at the very top level, it has appeared sporadically in World Championship cycles and elite rapid events, proving its dynamic viability.

Illustrative Games

• Veresov – Keres, USSR Ch 1940 – The inventor defeats a future Candidate by executing f3 & e4, then a timely Nxd5 break.
• Tal – Smyslov, Bled 1959 – Mikhail Tal sacrifices a pawn for a fearsome initiative, showcasing the opening’s attacking potential.
• Jobava – Vachier-Lagrave, ECC 2009 – Modern treatment with early h4-h5, culminating in a picturesque rook lift Rh3-g3.

Example Position to Visualize

After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c6 4. Qd3 Nbd7 5. O-O-O Qa5, the board features:

• White: King on c1, Queen on d3, rooks on d1 & h1, bishops on g5 & c1, knight on c3, pawns: a2, b2, c2, d4, e2, f2, g2, h2.
• Black: King on e8, Queen on a5, rooks on a8 & h8, bishops on c8 & c5, knight on f6 & d7, pawns: a7, b7, c6, d5, e7, f7, g7, h7.

The tension on the d-file and the a4–e8 diagonal illustrates typical middlegame complexity.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Alexander Wojtkiewicz famously used the Veresov as a “Swiss-System bulldozer,” racking up quick wins against lower-rated opposition in open tournaments.
• Because 2. Nc3 can transpose into the Chigorin Defense (after …d5 & …Nc6), some opening manuals place the Veresov in both 1. d4 and 1…d5 chapters.
• Iconic trainer Mark Dvoretsky recommended the Veresov to his students as a way to practice active piece play and tactical alertness from the very first moves.
• It is one of the very few Queen’s Pawn openings where White regularly castles queenside, leading to mutual opposite-wing pawn storms reminiscent of the Sicilian.
• The attack can backfire: if Black neutralizes the pin and strikes in the center with …c5 and …Qb6, White’s undeveloped queenside may become a liability.

When to Use It

Choose the Veresov when you want:

1. A surprise weapon that avoids mainstream Queen’s Gambit theory.
2. Sharp, unbalanced middlegames rich in tactics.
3. To exploit opponents who habitually rely on pet defences to 2. c4.

Conversely, if you prefer slow maneuvering or endgame-oriented play, the Veresov’s double-edged nature may not suit your style.