Trompowsky: 2...g6 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3

Trompowsky 2...g6 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3

Definition

A concrete sub-line of the Trompowsky Attack that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 g6 3.Bxf6 exf6 4.e3. White voluntarily exchanges the dark-squared bishop on f6 to inflict structural damage (doubled f-pawns) and opens the e-file, while Black gains the bishop pair and retains a solid central presence. The variation is often catalogued as “Trompowsky, Pirc–Leningrad System” in modern databases.

Main Move Order

The critical sequence runs:

1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 g6
   • Black declines 2…e6 or 2…d5 and fianchettoes the king’s bishop, eyeing the central dark squares.
2. 3.Bxf6 exf6
   • White swaps immediately, ruining Black’s kingside pawn structure. Black’s f-pawn pair however bolsters control of e5/g5.
3. 4.e3
   • A flexible, quiet developing move that reinforces d4, frees the c1-bishop, and prepares c4 or Nf3 without allowing …d5xd4 with tempo. Alternatives such as 4.c4 or 4.Nf3 exist but lead to different pawn structures.

Strategic Themes

• Damaged pawn structure vs. bishop pair: White hopes the doubled f-pawns will prove a long-term weakness; Black relies on the g7-bishop and open lines to compensate.
• Control of dark squares: The pawn on f6 restricts White’s knight jumps to e5 and g5, but the weakened light squares (e4, g4) can become targets.
• Open e-file: After 4.e3, the rook often comes to e1 (or e8) leading to tactics against the e-pawn or the e-6 diagonal.
• Pawn breaks: Typical plans include c4 (Queenside expansion) or h4-h5 (kingside pressure) for White, while Black considers …d5 or …c5 plus …f5-f4 to activate the bishops.

Historical Background

The Trompowsky (named after Brazilian master Octávio Trompowsky, 1897-1984) became mainstream in the late 20^th century as an antidote to the vast body of Indian-Defence theory. The 2…g6 line was popularised in the 1990s by British GM Julian Hodgson, a pioneer of unorthodox openings. It subsequently featured in elite practice—Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus Carlsen, and Wesley So have all essayed the system from both sides.

Illustrative Game

One instructive example is Kramnik–Adams, Dortmund 2016 (rapid), which continued:

Kramnik exploited the compromised dark squares and the half-open e-file to launch a swift kingside attack culminating in a tactical breakthrough with Qf3-e4 and Nxh5.

Typical Plans for Each Side

• White
  • Rapid development: Nf3, Be2, O-O, Rc1/Re1.
  • Pressure on the f-pawn chain: Qf3, g4, h4-h5.
  • Queenside expansion with c4 followed by Nc3, Qb3, and possible minority attack a4-a5.
• Black
  • Central counterplay: …d5 or …c5 hitting d4/c4.
  • Utilise the long diagonal: …Bg7, …f5-f4 to gain space and open lines.
  • King safety: Often delay castling or choose …O-O-O depending on White’s pawn storms.

Common Tactical Motifs

• e-file pins: After Re1/Bb5, the knight on f6 or the pawn on e7 can become overloaded.
• Dark-square invasions: Knights hopping to e5, c5, or g5 when the f6-pawn moves.
• Exchange sacrifices: Rxe6 or Rxf5 to shatter the kingside shield around f6-g6-h7.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• GM Julian Hodgson once quipped that he liked the line because “it bothers classical players who can’t decide whether to be happy or sad about their bishop pair.”
• Magnus Carlsen used the setup (with colours reversed!) in bullet chess, playing …Bxf3 gxf3 to confuse engines that overvalue structure.
• The line often transposes to a reversed Leningrad Dutch, providing an instructive study in mirrored pawn structures.

Further Study

For an in-depth repertoire see Richard Pert’s book “Playing the Trompowsky,” Chapter 6: 2…g6.