TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

Playing Against The Trompowsky: A Standard Response

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
09.29.2015
Category: Openings
Tags: chess, opening, trompowsky
Playing Against The Trompowsky: A Standard Response

Trompowsky variation has been faced many times as black during tournaments or casual online blitz. It is certainly an awkward opening, especially if black does not know what he is doing. The Trompowsky has been employed by many attacking players, such as Nakamura, Grischuk, Mamedyarov, and many others.

Trompowsky variation – 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5

Trompowsky

Naturally, they employ it mostly in short time control competitions in order to put pressure on black right from the start. This variation should not be underestimated. I remember being crushed by less strong opponents due to my lack of knowledge after 2.Bg5. To be more precise, I knew very little, which is worse than not knowing anything at all, so after a move like 2…Ne4 3.Bh4 I would get into trouble very soon. There are several reasons to avoid entering the main lines of the “Trompo”.

The positions arising from 2…Ne4 or 2…c5 lead to very double-edged positions – one mistake and black is lost. Also, white has many tricky lines and there is a high probability that as black, one could fall into a trap and the game would end fairly quickly. After a couple of defeats trying the main lines, with either 2…Ne4 or 2…c5, I started looking for a safer way to meet 2.Bg5 and found more than just one solution to it. Black has a few choices that we will mention here and explain the plans behind them.

So after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 what can black do in order to stay away from the main path?

Tip

In order to fight blunders, find the right plan in complex positions and improve your positional and tactical vision we recommend you to sign up for our comprehensive training course. Hundreds of chess players already benefited from our training. Don’t wait, start winning chess games today.

Trompowsky variation – Option A

Black can try 2…e6!? – This is a popular way to meet 2.Bg5. The idea is that after 3.Bxf6 black can recapture with the queen and, although white obtains full control of the center, black is solid and has the positional plus of the bishop pair.

Option B

Black can try 2…c6!? – This was the choice of the Romanian Grand Master Mihai Suba and it is certainly a very interesting move. Not compromising at all the pawn structure and after 3.Bf6 black can recapture with either pawn. To add more to this move, if white does not capture on f6 and plays 3.e3 (??) Black can win a piece with 3…Qa5+! This has happened at the master level, more than once.

Trompowsky variation – Option C

Black can try 2…d5! – This move has the approval of all the elite players including Kasparov and it seems like the safest way to deal with the Trompowsky variation. After 3.Bf6 exf6, black develops his bishop to d6, the double pawn will move to f5 controlling the center and the b8 knight is going all the way to f6.

In this article, we will analyze a game with each one in order to let our readers choose by themselves which one of these continuations is more fit into their own style.

Plan A

2…e6 The choice for practical players, employed by Karpov, Korchnoi, Anand, and many other strong Grandmasters. Not too much theory to learn, black gives up the center but grabs the two bishops and develops any way he can. He can either play in Hedgehog style or adopt a French-type structure. Definitely the most flexible choice. See more in the following game.

Trompowsky variation – Plan B

2…c6 As we explained before, this is a tricky but also flexible option for black. The idea is to continue with d5 and Bf5 developing in a normal way. Black may also consider ideas with Qb6 attacking the b2 pawn. This continuation leads to unclear positions.

Plan C

2…d5 This is a very solid choice. It was played by Kasparov in rapid events and other strong Grandmasters like Radjabov, Ponomariov, Tiviakov, and many others. Black’s main idea is to capture with the E pawn and later develop his bishop to d6, a pawn to f5, and later Nd7-f6. This is the choice we feel is the safest way to play for black.

Trompowsky variation – Conclusion

After all the examples explained here we hope our readers increased their knowledge and have one or two more weapons against the tricky Trompowsky variation. Good luck!

We also recommend reviewing Online Chess vs. Over The Board Chess.

If you want to improve your chess level, you need to have a clear study plan. If you aim for a dramatic improvement at chess you need to work on all of the elements of the game in a systematic way:

  • tactics
  • positional play
  • attacking skills
  • endgame technique
  • classical games analysis
  • psychological preparation
  • and much more

That seems to be like a lot of things, and that is. But no worries, we have made it easy for you. Our comprehensive training course covers it all and much more. Sign up for 21 Day Training right now!

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • Opening Preparation For Club Players – Part IIOpening Preparation For Club Players – Part II
  • the torre attack kidSolid Weapon for White: The Torre Attack Against the Indian Defenses
  • Italian OpeningNew Trends in The Italian Opening
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
  • Play Computer
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Money Back PayPal SSL Comodo
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz