Trompowsky Attack, Poisoned Pawn, Chepukaitis Gambit
Trompowsky Attack
Definition
The Trompowsky Attack is the opening that begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5. By pinning the knight on f6 at once, White sidesteps the immense body of Queen’s-Indian, Nimzo-Indian, and King’s-Indian theory and steers the game into comparatively independent channels.
Typical Move-Order and Ideas
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 – the bishop simultaneously threatens to double Black’s pawns (after 3.Bxf6) and prepares to occupy e4.
- …e6 or …d5 often follow, when White chooses between the quiet 3.Nf3 or the more confrontational 3.Bxf6.
- Structures with an isolated e-pawn for Black or hanging c-/d-pawns occur frequently.
Strategic Significance
The Trompowsky is attractive to players who want:
- Early piece play and imbalances rather than a lengthy theoretical duel.
- A practical weapon in rapid or blitz, where forcing Black to think from move two pays dividends.
- The psychological edge of threatening doubled pawns and kingside pressure without risk of a sterile position.
Historical Notes
Named after Brazilian master Octávio Trompowsky (1897-1984), the opening remained a sideline until the 1990s, when grandmasters such as Julian Hodgson, Vladimir Kramnik and Levon Aronian showed it could be played for a win at the very highest level.
Illustrative Mini-Line
After 7…dxc4 8.Bxc4 Black has doubled f-pawns and an exposed king. White aims for Qd3, 0-0-0 and a direct assault.
Famous Games
- Kramnik – Topalov, Dortmund 1998: a model endgame squeeze after 3.Bxf6.
- Carlsen – Karjakin, World Blitz 2019: Carlsen used the Trompowsky to win in 19 moves.
Interesting Facts
- Because it appears on move two, databases often classify it as an independent opening (A45) rather than a Queen’s Pawn System.
- In elite circles it is sometimes called “The Tromp” or “The Tromp-Hodgson,” honouring GM Julian Hodgson’s many theoretical contributions.
Poisoned Pawn (general concept & famous variations)
Definition
A “Poisoned Pawn” is any pawn deliberately left en prise that carries a hidden tactical or strategic sting. Capturing it often wins material but exposes the capturer to decisive counter-play. The term also refers to several well-known opening systems in which such a pawn sacrifice is the critical line.
How the Motif Works
- Side A “offers” a pawn, usually on b2, g2 or c2.
- Side B grabs the pawn with queen or bishop, taking material but moving that piece far from safety.
- Side A gains developmental speed, opens lines, or traps the offending piece.
Iconic Poisoned-Pawn Variations
- Sicilian Najdorf: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2?! (ECO B97). Black’s queen grabs b2 but walks a tightrope for 20+ moves.
- French Winawer: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Qc7 8.Qxg7 (ECO C18). White’s queen eats g7, eyeing mate on f8; Black relies on counter-attacking the center.
- Benko Gambit Accepted “Poisoned b-pawn”: after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1, Black can tempt 9…Nxe4?! leading to traps.
Strategic Significance
The Poisoned Pawn embodies the eternal chess tension between material and time. Modern engines show many of these lines are perfectly sound, but the slightest inaccuracy can leave the greedy side busted—making them ideal surprise weapons.
Classic Example
After 17.Nd6+! in many Najdorf games, White’s pieces swarm the black king while the queen on a3 has no influence.
Anecdotes
In the 1971 Candidates match Fischer – Taimanov, Fischer twice took the poisoned pawn on b2 and won both games, sky-rocketing the line’s popularity. Decades later, Kasparov revived it against Topalov and even against computers, trusting his preparation more than silicon’s cold evaluation.
Chepukaitis Gambit
Definition
The Chepukaitis Gambit is an enterprising pawn sacrifice for White in the Sicilian Defence, Moscow Variation:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.d4!? (diagram)
Instead of exchanging on d7 and playing a quiet game, White hurls the d-pawn forward. After 4…Bxb5 5.c4!, or 4…cxd4 5.Bxd7+ Qxd7 6.c3, White remains a pawn down but gains swift development and open lines.
Origin and Naming
Latvian blitz legend IM Oleg Evgenievich Chepukaitis (1932-2012) delighted in off-beat, sacrificial openings. He used this idea repeatedly in Soviet rapid events, scoring so well that local masters began calling the line “the Chepukaitis Gambit.” Because most of his games were unpublished, the name spread mainly by word-of-mouth and internet databases in the 2000s.
Main Tactical Themes
- Rapid piece play: White often castles long (0-0-0) and brings rooks to e1 and g1 for a kingside assault.
- Exposed black king: If Black grabs pawns on c4 or e4, open files plus the Bb5+ motif re-emerge.
- Central tension: The pawn on e4 can be deliberately left hanging, echoing poisoned-pawn ideas.
Sample Continuation
Material is level again, but White’s lead in development and the half-open d- and e-files give lasting pressure.
Practical Usage
The gambit is rare in classical play but a favourite in blitz and bullet, where the initiative outweighs precise calculation. Strong grandmasters such as Alexei Shirov and Alexander Grischuk have experimented with it online.
Interesting Facts
- Chepukaitis reportedly kept a notebook titled “+∞” containing nothing but tactical opening ideas—this gambit featured on page 1.
- The ECO code usually given is B51/B52, but many databases mis-classify it because the pawn sacrifice occurs so early.
- Modern engines evaluate the gambit between 0.00 and +0.30 for White—perfect justification for practical play!