Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.d5

Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.d5

Definition

This line arises in the Trompowsky Attack after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 c5 4. d5. It is a sharp branch in which White grabs space in the center with the pawn thrust 4.d5, while Black seeks counterplay on the dark squares and along the c-file.

Typical Move Order

The essential position is reached by:

1. 1. d4 Nf6
2. 2. Bg5 Ne4 (Black immediately questions the bishop.)
3. 3. Bf4 c5 (Targeting the d4-pawn and striking at the center.)
4. 4. d5 (White gains space and forces the knight back or sideways.)

Strategic Themes

• Space versus activity: By advancing the pawn to d5, White clamps down on e6 and c6 but surrenders some flexibility.
• Minor-piece imbalance: Early…Ne4 often leads to exchanges that leave Black with the bishop pair, while White enjoys extra space.
• Dark-square control: Black’s c-pawn thrust and potential …Qb6 or …g6 aim at exploiting the holes on the dark squares (c3, e3).
• Pawn structure: After 4.d5, the position frequently transforms into a Benoni-style structure if Black later plays …e6, or a Dutch-like setup if …g6 is chosen.

Main Continuations

The most popular replies for Black after 4.d5 are:

• 4…Qb6 – Double attack on b2 and d5; leads to dynamic, tactical positions.
• 4…e6 – Challenging the pawn chain immediately, aiming for Benoni structures.
• 4…g6 – Aiming for a fianchetto and long-term pressure on the dark squares.

Historical Significance

The Trompowsky Attack itself is named after the Brazilian master Octávio Trompowsky (1897–1984). The specific 2…Ne4 line grew in popularity in the 1990s, championed by players such as Julian Hodgson and Viktor Bologan for White, and later adopted by grandmasters like Sergey Karjakin and Hikaru Nakamura with Black. The 4.d5 branch appeals to players who relish taking space early and dictating the pawn structure.

Illustrative Game

The following miniature shows how quickly the position can become sharp after 4.d5 Qb6:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6| Bg5|Ne4| Bf4|c5| d5|Qb6| Nd2|Qxb2| Nxe4|Qb4+| Nd2|Qxf4| e3|Qe5| Ngf3|Qxd5| Bc4|Qh5| g4|Qg6| Ne5|Qf6| Nxf7|Qg6| Nxh8|arrows|d1d5|squares|d5]]

White’s energetic handling of the position (with sacrifices on f7 and h8) illustrates the attacking potential created by the space-gaining 4.d5 advance.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Julian Hodgson once quipped that after 4.d5 “the board already looks like a Benoni that White got for free.”
• In online blitz, Magnus Carlsen has experimented with both sides of this line, often choosing the offbeat 4…g6 to keep the game unbalanced.
• The move 3.Bf4 (instead of the more common 3.Bh4 or 3.Bd2) subtly avoids the doubled pawns that can arise after …Nxg5.

Practical Tips

• For White: Be ready to meet 4…Qb6 with accurate tactics—moves like Nd2 or f3 can support the d-pawn and defend b2.
• For Black: Don’t delay striking at the center. Timely …e6 or …g6, followed by kingside development, is essential.
• Study model games where Black sacrifices the b-pawn for activity; knowing the motifs will help you decide when it is sound.

Further Study

Key resources include the games of karjakin, Bologan’s analyses in his book on the Benoni structures, and the video series “Trompowsky Reloaded” by Julian Hodgson.