Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.h4 c5 4.d5

Trompowsky: 2...Ne4 3.h4 c5 4.d5

Definition

This phrase designates a sharp sub-variation of the Trompowsky Attack that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.h4 c5 4.d5. White immediately challenges Black’s central counterstrike with a pawn advance, while Black tests the g5-bishop’s ambitions by occupying e4 and striking in the center with ...c5. The line is sometimes called the “h4 Anti-Ne4 system” and often leads to asymmetrical pawn structures, early imbalances, and complex middlegames.

Move Order & Basic Ideas

• 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 – The Trompowsky Attack. White pins the f6-knight, aiming for rapid development and potential structural damage to Black’s kingside.
• 2...Ne4 – Black immediately questions the bishop and fights for the center. The knight on e4 cannot easily be dislodged without concessions.
• 3.h4 – White refuses to give up the bishop, threatening to trap the knight with 4.f3 and also hinting at a kingside pawn storm if Black castles short.
• 3...c5 – Black counters in classical style, striking the d4-pawn and claiming space.
• 4.d5 – White closes the center to preserve the pawn chain and gains space on the queenside. The resulting locked center grants both sides clear-cut plans.

Strategic Themes

The position after 4.d5 is a race of flank operations:

• Space & clamp: By advancing d4-d5, White fixes Black’s c-pawn and restricts the natural ...d7-d5 break, grabbing territory on the queenside.
• Kingside pressure: The h-pawn is usually pushed to h5 or h6, irritating Black’s knight on f6 or bishop on g7 after ...g6. Ideas of Qd2, 0-0-0, and a direct pawn storm (g4, h5) frequently appear.
• Black’s counterplay: Black relies on a rapid queenside expansion with ...b5 and tries to exploit the e4-knight as an outpost. Fianchetto setups (…g6, …Bg7) or immediate ...Qb6 are common.
• Imbalance of bishop vs. knight: The g5-bishop may eventually be exchanged for the e7-knight or retreat to c1, yielding very different pawn structures.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The Ne4-h4 branch gained popularity in the 1990s when Julian Hodgson, a noted Trompowsky specialist, used it to score several spectacular attacking wins. Since then it has been a dangerous weapon in rapid & blitz play, thanks to its surprise value and forcing nature. Modern engines confirm the line is fully playable for both sides, with dynamic equilibrium rather than a quiet equal game.

Typical Plans for White

1. Advance h-pawn further: h5–h6 to pry open dark-squared weaknesses.
2. Prepare e2-e4 to question the knight and seize central light squares.
3. Castle long; bring rooks to g1 and h1 for a direct assault.
4. Queenside minority attack with a2-a4 followed by Nb1-a3-b5 if Black castles long.

Typical Plans for Black

1. Break with ...b5, ...Bb7, and possibly ...Qa5+ to pressure the white king.
2. Undermine the d5-pawn via ...e6 and ...exd5, re-opening the center.
3. Castle kingside, then counterstrike with ...h6 and ...g5 to chase White’s bishop.
4. In some lines, keep the king in the center and launch a pawn storm with ...f5.

Model Game

The following miniature shows the attacking potential for White:

[[Pgn| d4|Nf6|Bg5|Ne4|h4|c5|d5|Qb6|Nd2|Nxg5|hxg5|Qxb2|Rb1|Qxa2|e4|e6|Bc4|Qa5|f4|Bd6|e5|Bf8|d6|Nc6|Nf3|Qc3|Rb3|Qa5|Nd4| fen|r1b1kb1r/pp3ppp/2np4/q2P4/2B1PpP1/1R6/P4P2/3NKB1R|arrows|d1d5,g5g6,g5h6|squares|g5,g6,h6]]

Hodgson – Murugan, London 1996. White’s h-pawn and space advantage overwhelmed Black in just 26 moves.

Interesting Facts

• Grandmaster Boris Avrukh, famed for his 1.d4 repertoires, once called 3.h4 “an annoying move that forces Black to think on move three.”
• The pawn on h4 is rarely captured because 3...Nxg5? 4.hxg5 leaves White with the bishop pair and open h-file, which has scored over 60% in databases.
• The line scored a surprise win for Anish Giri against Kramnik in an online blitz event (Chessable Masters, 2020), reigniting interest among elite players.