Torre Attack: Classical Defense Nimzowitsch Variation
Torre Attack
Definition
The Torre Attack is a Queen’s-pawn opening characterised by the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 followed almost immediately by 3. Bg5 (or 3. e3 4. Bg5). White develops the dark-squared bishop early, pinning the f6-knight and setting up a solid, easy-to-learn system that avoids the vast body of mainstream Indian-Defence theory.
Typical Move-Order & Plans
Main line: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 (or 2…d5) 3. Bg5.
Usual follow-ups for White include e3, Bd3, Nbd2, O-O, c3, h3,
aiming for a quiet space-advantage and an eventual e4 or c4 break.
- If Black plays 3…d5, the game enters the Classical Defence.
- If Black answers 3…Ne4, it becomes the Nimzowitsch Variation.
- Other replies such as 3…c5 (Bogoljubov Variation) or 3…h6 (Friedel) give Black more dynamic options.
Strategic Significance
• White keeps the option of c2–c4 in reserve, so Black must reveal a set-up
first.
• The Torre is popular with club players because the piece placement is
virtually systematic
; one can concentrate on middlegame plans instead
of move-order nuance.
• The early pin sometimes provokes weaknesses such as …h6 g5, which can be
exploited later by attacks on the dark squares.
Historical Notes & Famous Games
The opening is named after Mexican grandmaster Carlos Torre Repetto, who employed it with success in the mid-1920s. His win against former World Champion Emanuel Lasker at Moscow 1925 (Torre–Lasker, 1925) is often cited as the archetypal Torre Attack. More recently it has been a surprise weapon for players such as Vladislav Artemiev and Levy Rozman">Levy Rozman in online speed chess.
Example PGN
Interesting Facts
- World Champion Vladimir Kramnik used the Torre (with an early h3 and g4!) to defeat Garry Kasparov in rapid play, Mainz 2001.
- The ECO codes for the Torre run from A46 to D03, indicating how the same basic idea can crop up against a variety of Black set-ups.
Classical Defense (in the Torre Attack)
Definition
The Classical Defense is Black’s most straightforward reply to the Torre Attack, arising after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bg5. By placing a pawn on d5, Black mirrors White’s central control and keeps the option of …e6–c5 or …Bf5, entering structures reminiscent of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
Strategic Ideas
- Central Solidity. With pawns on d5/e6, Black maintains a rock-solid centre and waits for the right moment to challenge the g5-bishop.
- Piece Play. Typical manoeuvres include …Be7, …O-O, …Nbd7, and sooner or later …h6 or …Ne4 to resolve the pin.
- Minor-piece Tension. The long-term question is whether White’s Bg5 is a strength (pressure) or a target (tempo gain for Black).
Historical & Theoretical Status
Although less fashionable than Indian-style reactions with an early
…g6/…e6, the Classical Defence is theoretically sound and has been played
by stalwarts such as Anatoly Karpov, Ulf Andersson, and more recently
Ding Liren. Its reputation is of a no-nonsense
antidote that forces
White to prove an advantage in classical QGD-type positions rather than
via an early kingside initiative.
Illustrative Game
Karpov–Andersson, Skellefteå 1989: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. e3 Be7 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. c3 c5 8. O-O b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. f4 — White eventually built up a small edge, but Andersson’s resilient defence held the draw after 52 moves.
Fun Facts
- The move 3…d5 is so classical that ECO classifies it in the Queen’s Gambit family (D03), not in the Indian Defences (E-codes) usually associated with 1…Nf6.
- Because of the irony that the White player
attacking
with the Torre often gets a symmetrical position, some grandmasters call the line the “Torre Positional Defence.”
Nimzowitsch Variation (of the Torre Attack)
Definition
The Nimzowitsch Variation begins after the additional move 3…Ne4 in the Classical Torre framework: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bg5 Ne4. Black immediately challenges the pinning bishop, echoing Aron Nimzowitsch’s hypermodern credo of attacking pieces rather than pawns.
Key Continuations
- 4. Bf4 c5 5. e3 Nc6 — a Carlsbad-style structure where Black gains tempi.
- 4. Bh4 c5 5. e3 Qb6 — pressuring b2 and tying White down.
- 4. Nbd2 Nxg5 5. Nxg5 e5! — Black gives up the bishop pair for rapid central play.
Strategic Essence
• By forcing the bishop to decide its future, Black hopes to waste White’s
time or trade the troublesome piece outright.
• The knight on e4 can become a spearhead for …c5, …Qb6, and …Qb6 ideas,
seizing the initiative before White’s smooth development plan kicks in.
• White’s main task is to avoid passive retreating moves that grant Black a
free hand in the centre.
Historical Context
Aron Nimzowitsch himself is credited with the first high-level outing (Berlin 1928, Nimzowitsch–Johner). The variation saw a modern revival when Garry Kasparov employed it against Karpov in their 1990 World Championship match (Game 16, drawn in 33 moves).
Sample Line in PGN
Interesting Tidbits
- The same idea …Ne4 against a bishop on g5 appears in the Ragozin Defence and in certain Trompowsky lines, illustrating the universality of Nimzowitsch’s concept.
- Because the variation so often ends with an early exchange of bishop for knight, engines historically thought it was equal, but modern neural-net evaluations give Black a whisker of initiative after the forcing 4.Bh4 c5!.