The Trompowsky Attack is a sharp opening which most often produces interesting and imbalanced positions. But. Black can choose to play 2…e6, in a very classical fashion, defending his knight, preventing Bxf6, and giving white the chance to seize the initiative by expanding with e4.
Full Trompowsky playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLssNbVBYrGcCmU9gcxbvloQEJDZzOzLPC
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The Trompowsky Attack is an uncommon opening compared to the main line QG and Catalan positions. It’s offbeat, creates unique imbalanced positions, and seldom leads to equal drawish positions. It is therefore logical to conclude that it’s a fighting opening which white chooses in order to put black on the back foot and to gain a psychological edge.
Most Nf6 players dislike it or hate facing it. It disables them from playing their normal systems and it steers the game into, for them, often unknown territory.
The idea behind the Trompowsky is simple: trade bishop for knight and double black’s f pawns. That is a pseudo threat, and black may choose to prevent or allow it. That choice will determine the nature of the position. Black has 6 main choices. Each will be covered in detail in a separate video.
The Classical Defense in the Trompowsky starts after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6
With this move black avoids the capture on f6, making sure his structure is not compromised, defending the knight with the queen. But. There is a big downside to playing like this. It’s very passive, and it gives white the option to play e4 without any consequences.
That is why the positions after 2…e6 will most often be advantageous for white from a practical perspective. White will have more space and an easier time maneuvering his pieces and attacking.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
06:30 3.Nd2
11:01 3.e3
13:18 Alternatives to 3…h6
20:45 3.e4 5.Nc3
28:50 3.e4 5.c3
35:25 3.e4 5.Nf3
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