Torre Attack Fianchetto Defense Euwe Variation
Torre Attack
Definition
The Torre Attack is a queen’s-pawn opening for White that typically arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 (or 2…g6) 3. Bg5. By developing the dark-squared bishop to g5 before committing the c-pawn to c4, White pins Black’s knight on f6 and keeps the option of a later e2–e4 or c2–c4 break. ECO codes D03–D05 cover the main systems.
Typical Move-Order
One of the most common sequences is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 e6 (or 2…g6 → “Fianchetto Defense”)
- 3. Bg5 d5
- 4. e3 Be7 5. Nbd2 O-O
Strategic Ideas
- Early pin on f6 discourages …d7–d5 or …e7–e5 breaks.
- Flexible: White may castle either side and choose plans with c4, Nbd2–e4, or even a kingside pawn storm.
- Simpler theory than mainline Queen’s Gambit or Indian defences—popular with club players and grandmasters alike.
Historical Significance
Named after the Mexican-American grandmaster Carlos Torre Repetto, who stunned former World Champion Emanuel Lasker with it in Moscow 1925. Tigran Petrosian, Paul Keres, and later Wesley So and Magnus Carlsen have employed it as a surprise weapon.
Example Game
In Torre – Lasker, Moscow 1925, White launched a famous windmill combination beginning with 19. Rxf7!! that ended in a forced mate.
Interesting Facts
- The Torre is one of the few openings named after a Latin-American player.
- It can transpose into various systems, including the London System or Colle, giving it “Swiss-army-knife” flexibility.
- Because c4 is often delayed, many engines originally underestimated its attacking potential—human intuition still counts!
Fianchetto Defense
Definition
The term “Fianchetto Defense” refers to Black’s set-up against 1. d4 where the kingside bishop is immediately fianchettoed with …g6 and …Bg7 before committing the central pawns. In ECO it is catalogued mostly under D05 (“Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense”) and various E-codes when it transposes to the King’s Indian or Grünfeld.
Typical Move-Order
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 g6
- 3. Bg5 Bg7 (entering the Torre Attack, Fianchetto Defense line)
Black keeps the structure flexible, often choosing between …d5 (King’s Indian Fianchetto lines), …c5 (Benoni-style), or …d6 (Pirc/Modern setups).
Strategic Themes
- Control of the long dark-squared diagonal h8–a1 via the Bg7.
- Hyper-modern approach: allow White to occupy the center and later strike with pawn breaks …c5, …e5, or …d5.
- Provides a robust king shelter once Black castles short; pawn storms against the king are harder because g6 anchors the structure.
Historical Context
The idea of an early fianchetto goes back to the Romantic era but was systematized by the hyper-modern school (Réti, Nimzowitsch). Modern advocates include Vladimir Kramnik, Peter Svidler, and many blitz specialists who like its transpositional possibilities.
Illustrative Miniature
Black equalizes comfortably and can later expand with …c5–c4 or undermine with …Qb6.
Did You Know?
- The same bishop placement characterizes the Grünfeld and King’s Indian, but there Black plays …d5 or …d6 sooner; the “pure” Fianchetto Defense with delayed …d-pawn keeps options wide open.
- Anatoly Karpov occasionally used it as a drawing weapon, while Garry Kasparov adopted it for dynamic winning chances in rapid events.
Euwe Variation (Nimzo-Indian Defense)
Definition
The Euwe Variation is a line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense characterized by the queen move 4. Qc2:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 e6
- 3. Nc3 Bb4
- 4. Qc2 (Euwe Variation)
Named after the fifth World Champion Dr. Max Euwe, the move protects the knight on c3, discouraging Black from doubling White’s pawns, and keeps options for e2–e4.
Strategic Points
- Central Control: By guarding e4 and d5, White eyes a broad pawn center.
- Piece Play: The queen’s early development can be targeted; Black often replies 4…c5, 4…d5, or 4…Nc6 to accelerate counterplay.
- Flexible Pawn Structure: If Black exchanges on c3 anyway, White’s queen recaptures, avoiding doubled c-pawns.
Historical Usage
Euwe popularized 4. Qc2 in the 1920s and used it in his 1935 World-Championship victory over Alekhine. The line later appeared in Botvinnik–Smyslov World-Championship matches and has remained a respectable mainline employed by Carlsen, Aronian, and Ding Liren.
Model Game
Botvinnik – Smyslov, Moscow 1958: White built a broad center with f3 & e4, eventually winning a classic strategic game.
Interesting Facts
- Because it delays development of kingside pieces, engines once judged 4. Qc2 as harmless; modern neural-network engines now score it highly for White.
- In the 1997 PCA rapid final, Kasparov shifted to the Euwe Variation to sidestep Anand’s pet lines—and won a critical game.
- 4. Qc2 has inspired analogous ideas in other openings (e.g., the Peterson Variation 4. Qc2 in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted).