Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3

Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3

Definition

In the Trompowsky Opening (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5), the sequence 2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3 forms one of the sharpest branches.

• Opening family: Trompowsky (ECO A45).
• Variation names sometimes used: Raptor Variation, Rapport–Jobava System, or simply Bf4 c5 f3 line.
• Key idea: White voluntarily drives the knight from e4 with 4.f3, aiming for a broad pawn centre (e2–e4, c2–c4) while Black counters immediately on the queenside and centre with ...c5.

Move-order & Basic Ideas

Starting position after the critical 4th move:

1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 – The Trompowsky. White pins the knight and announces an attacking game.
2. 2...Ne4 – Black immediately questions the bishop. The knight occupies an advanced post and hits g5.
3. 3.Bf4 – The bishop retreats while keeping an eye on the sensitive c7-square and preserving itself for later play on the long diagonal.
4. 3...c5 – The thematic counter in the centre. Black targets d4 and tries to show that White’s bishop manoeuvre has wasted time.
5. 4.f3 – White challenges the knight again. After the likely 4…Nf6, the pawn on f3 supports e2–e4 and sometimes g2–g4, creating flexible attacking patterns.

Strategic Themes

• Time vs. Structure. White has moved the same bishop twice and pushed the f-pawn early. In return he aims for a powerful pawn centre (e4/d4) and dynamic chances.
• Central Occupation. A typical continuation 4…Nf6 5.d5 d6 6.e4 gives White a space advantage reminiscent of a King’s Indian reversed.
• Queenside Pressure for Black. Lines with 4…Qa5+ 5.c3 Nf6 or 4…Qb6 immediately attack d4 and b2, forcing White to reckon with material concessions or structural weaknesses.
• Flexible King Placement. Because the f-pawn is on f3, White often castles long or even keeps the king in the centre while launching a kingside pawn storm with g4–h4.

Historical Context

Early references to this move order date back to the 1980s, but it rose to prominence in the 2010s thanks to creative grandmasters Richard Rapport and Baadur Jobava, whose unorthodox styles popularised the early f-pawn thrust. Elite players such as Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian and Hikaru Nakamura have since used the line as an occasional surprise weapon.

Model Game

Carlsen – Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2015 (annotated outline):

• White used 9.Na3 followed by Nc4 to cement control of d6 and gained a durable initiative, eventually converting in a rook ending.

Typical Continuations

• 4…Nf6 5.d5 – Positional main line. After 5…d6 6.e4, White clamps the centre; Black looks for breaks with …e6 or …b5.
• 4…Qa5+ – Checks first, forcing 5.c3 or 5.Nd2, and only then retreats the knight. Yields double-edged play.
• 4…Qb6 – Targets b2. If 5.fxe4? Qxb2 wins, so White usually defends with 5.Nd2 or 5.fxe4?! Qxb2 6.Nd2 (a pawn gambit).

Practical Tips

• Know your pawn breaks: White wants e2–e4; Black wants …cxd4 and/or …Qb6 to hit the centre quickly.
• The bishop on f4 can later reroute to h2, g3 or e1 depending on circumstances—keep those diagonals in mind.
• Because of the early f-pawn move, be cautious about leaving your king on g1 without adequate cover.

Interesting Facts

• The term Raptor was coined by British GM Jonathan Rowson, who compared the line’s sudden central strike to a bird of prey swooping on its victim.
• Although it begins in queen-pawn territory, the resulting pawn structures often resemble the French Defence, King’s Indian, or even the Pirc, offering fertile ground for transpositional trickery.
• Database statistics fluctuate around 54 % for White in rapid & blitz, but only about 50 % in classical games, suggesting that surprise and preparation play a major role.