Torre Attack: Classical Defense
The Classical Defense of the Torre Attack arises after 2...e6 3.Bg5, where White pins the f6 knight against the queen. White aims for e3, c3 and Nbd2 with a compact center, while Black chooses between ...h6, ...c5, ...d6 or ...d5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5
- ECO
- A46
- Engine
- +0.06 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,659 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 55.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 3...h6, retreat 4.Bh4 and keep the pin, as the first engine line shows.
- e3 and c3 build a sturdy pawn chain that blunts Black's ...c5 and ...Qb6 ideas.
- Nbd2 and Bd3 prepare the e4 push, which is White's main central break.
- Watch b2 when the bishop leaves c1; Qc1 or Qb3 can cover it if needed.
Black
- ...h6 asks the bishop to decide early, before White can keep the pin cheaply.
- ...c5 hits d4 and opens the c-file, as in 3...h6 4.Bh4 c5 5.e3 Nc6.
- ...d5 and ...Nbd7 give a sound Queen's Gambit style setup with ...c5 still to come.
- ...Qb6 hits b2 once the c1 bishop has left, a common trick.
Plans and pawn structure
White props up d4 with e3 and c3, then plays for e4. Black uses ...c5 and ...Qb6 to pressure d4 and b2. The pin on f6 is annoying for Black, but ...h6 and ...g5 can break it at the cost of kingside weaknesses. If Black trades on d4 with ...cxd4 and exd4, the e-file opens and White gets the e5 square.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.06: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.06 3...h6 4.Bh4 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.c3
- +0.12 3...d6 4.e3 h6 5.Bh4 g5 6.Bg3
- +0.18 3...d5 4.Nbd2 c5 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,659 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Classical Defense, Nimzowitsch Variation3...h6 · rare
- Classical Defense, Petrosian Gambit3...c5 · rare
- Torre Attack, Breyer Variation3...d5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play ...h6 early and ...c5 to fight d4. Keep an eye on ...Qb6 against b2. Avoid passive setups that let White play e4 freely. If White retreats to h4, consider ...g5 only when your king is not yet committed to the kingside.
Questions
What are the moves of the Torre Attack: Classical Defense?
The Torre Attack: Classical Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5. Its ECO code is A46.
Is the Torre Attack: Classical Defense good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.06 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,659 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.3%. A solid, low-theory choice for White; Black has many good setups and should aim for active counterplay.
What is the main idea of the Torre Attack: Classical Defense?
White pins the f6 knight and builds a solid center with e3 and c3. Black uses ...h6, ...c5 and ...Qb6 to create counterplay.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is h6, with d6 and d5 close behind. 3...h6 asks the bishop to decide early, before White has finished developing.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.