Chess Opening · A45

Trompowsky Attack

For sub-1000 ELO players

Against the Trompowsky Attack (ECO A45), Black should not panic after 2. Bg5 and can respond with the Borg Variation 2...Ne4. Stockfish 17 at depth 25 gives White only +0.3 in this line, and sub-1000 ELO players often mishandle the resulting positions by either weakening their kingside or forgetting to develop.

The Best Response

Moves to Play

White · Black alternating

◆1. d4 Nf6

◆2. Bg5

White opens with d4 and immediately pins the knight with Bg5, trying to disrupt Black's normal development. Black needs to respond actively rather than panicking about the bishop.

Who Stands Better

Computer score

+0.3

(slight advantage for White)

In plain terms+0.3 for White with correct play

Copy these moves:

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. e3

3 Mistakes Sub-1000 Players Make

These are the patterns we see in games below 1000 ELO. Fix these and you'll stop losing to this opening.

Playing Ne4 Without Understanding the Consequences

Beginners play ...Ne4 to chase the bishop but don't follow up correctly. They win a tempo but then misplace their knight or fail to build a solid structure behind it.

Best reply: d5

Why it happens: Seeing the bishop on g5 and instinctively chasing it without a follow-up plan

Panicking About the Pin

Beginners play ...h6 or ...g5 trying to chase the bishop and weaken their kingside. These pawn moves create permanent holes that White exploits later.

Best reply: e5

Why it happens: Feeling uncomfortable with the pin and wanting to remove the bishop at any cost

Ignoring Development

Beginners focus entirely on the bishop situation and forget to develop their other pieces. White builds a dominant center while Black wastes time on one-move threats.

Best reply: Nc6

Why it happens: Fixating on the Bg5 and losing sight of the whole board

Why This Opening Trips You Up

The Core Problem

Sub-1000 players see the early Bg5 and feel pressured to deal with it immediately, leading to weakening pawn moves or aimless knight maneuvers instead of calm development.

Before Your Next Game

The Trompowsky looks aggressive but it commits the bishop early. Stay calm, develop normally, and remember that White has weakened their own position by moving the bishop before finishing development.