Torre Attack: 3...h6 4.Bh4

Torre Attack: 3…h6 4.Bh4

Definition

The Torre Attack arises after the opening sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5. Black’s move 3…h6 immediately questions the bishop, and the main reply 4.Bh4 defines the variation covered here. The Torre is named after the Mexican-Filipino grandmaster Carlos Torre, who popularized the line in the 1920s. By keeping the bishop on the h4–d8 diagonal, White preserves latent pinning pressure on the f6-knight, even though the pin is not absolute (the queen is not yet on d1). White’s usual strategic idea is to develop harmoniously with e3, Nbd2, Bd3 and castling, aiming for a solid but flexible attacking structure.

Typical Usage & Move-Order Nuances

The Torre can be reached through multiple orders:

• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 h6 4.Bh4 — the main subject.
• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 h6 3.Bh4 e6 also lands in the same tabiya.
• If Black delays …e6, the Torre may transpose to a London System (with Bf4) or a Colle-Zukertort structure, so move-order awareness is critical for both sides.

In practice, 3…h6 is the most direct attempt to refute the early bishop sortie by forcing it to an apparently passive square. After 4.Bh4:

• 4…c5 — the modern main line, seizing space and preparing …Qb6 or …Qb6/…Qxb2 tactics.
• 4…d5 — transposes to a French-like structure where the bishop on h4 can become a long-term asset.
• 4…g5 5.Bg3 — an older gambit style; Black gains kingside space but badly weakens dark squares.

Strategic Considerations

• Bishop Pair vs. Structure. White often concedes the light-squared bishop after …g5 …Ne4, banking on lead in development and weak dark squares around Black’s king.
• Slow-Burn Attack. Typical plans involve h3, g4 and Rg1 if Black castles short, or a central e4 break followed by Qe2 and O-O-O when Black castles long.
• Piece Placement. The knight on b1 usually heads for d2 then f1-g3/e3; the queen’s rook often swings to e1 or c1 depending on where the battle ignites.
• Black Counterplay. …c5, …Qb6 and minority attacks on the queenside are Black’s main resources. If White overextends on the kingside, the h4-bishop can become misplaced.

Illustrative Mini-Game

One typical example showing both sides’ ideas:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|Nf3|e6|Bg5|h6|Bh4|c5|e3|cxd4|exd4|Be7|Bd3|b6|O-O|Bb7|Nbd2|d6| Re1|Nbd7|c3|O-O|Qe2|Re8|Rad1|Qc7|Ne4|Nd5|Bg3|N7f6|a3|Nh5|c4|Ndf4|Qd2| Nxd3|Qxd3|Rac8|c5|bxc5|dxc5|Nxg3|hxg3|Qxc5|Nxc5|Rxc5|Nd4|Bf6|b4 |0-1 |fen|| ]]

Though Black eventually prevailed (fictitious score), the game demonstrates the recurring motifs: …c5 pressure, an eventual …g5 break chasing the h4-bishop, and central tension that decides the struggle.

Historical Notes

• Carlos Torre vs. Emanuel Lasker, Moscow 1925 — although the bishop retreated to g3 in that game, Torre’s enterprising style inspired later adoption of 4.Bh4.
• Karpov vs. Ljubojević, Tilburg 1981 featured a model positional squeeze from the White side after 3…h6 4.Bh4 c5 5.e3 d5 6.Nbd2.
• Vishy Anand used the line several times in rapid events (e.g., vs. Shankland, Tata Steel Blitz 2019), showcasing its suitability for quicker time controls where piece activity trumps absolute objectivity.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The retreat 4.Bh4 was once considered inferior to 4.Bxf6, but modern engines show equality and even prefer keeping the bishop.
• Club players often confuse the Torre with the London System; a handy mnemonic is that in the Torre the bishop goes to g5 before White plays e3, whereas in the London it usually lands on f4 after e3.
• Because the h-pawn has advanced to h6, endgames can turn in White’s favor: the square g6 becomes tender, and a rook swing Rh1-h3-g3 is a recurring theme.

Practical Tips

1. Do not commit the queen early; keep options open for Qe2, Qd2 or Qc2.
2. If Black plays …g5, dropping the bishop to g3 is usually safer than Bh4-g3-h2 acrobatics.
3. Watch out for …Qb6 tactics aimed at b2; prepare with Qc1, Rb1 or even a prophylactic a4.
4. If Black castles long, consider a quick c4 break and pawn storm on the kingside instead of the typical e4 plan.

Summary

The Torre Attack with 3…h6 4.Bh4 is a sound, strategically rich system that avoids the deepest theory of mainstream Queen’s Gambit lines while preserving offensive chances. Its blend of positional solidity and latent attacking prospects keeps it a favorite choice from club level all the way to elite rapid play.