Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense
The Fianchetto Defense of the Torre Attack arises after 2...g6 3.Bg5, where Black plans ...Bg7 and quick castling. White builds with Nbd2, c3 and e4 for a classical center, while Black aims for ...d6 and the ...c5 or ...e5 breaks.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5
- ECO
- A48
- Engine
- +0.04 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,290 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Nbd2, c3 and e4 build a classical center, as in 4.Nbd2 O-O 5.c3 d6 6.e4.
- Retreat the bishop to e3 after ...h6, keeping it active on the c1-h6 diagonal.
- The g5 bishop pins nothing yet but can take on f6 to weaken the black kingside.
- Castle short and play for e5 or d5 once the center is ready to roll.
Black
- ...Bg7 and ...O-O complete the fianchetto and get the king safe before the center opens.
- ...d6 and ...e5 strike the center, Kings Indian style, once White plays e4.
- ...c5 hits d4 and opens the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.
- ...h6 asks the bishop to decide, as in the first engine line after 6.e4.
Plans and pawn structure
White builds a big center with e4 and d4. Black fianchettoes and aims for ...e5 or ...c5 to challenge it. The pin on f6 matters less with the bishop on g7. If Black gets ...e5 in, the position resembles a King's Indian; if White keeps the center, White gains space and attacking chances. White's bishop often drops back to e3 after ...h6.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.04: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.04 3...Bg7 4.Nbd2 O-O 5.c3 d6 6.e4
- +0.16 3...d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.c3 O-O 6.Nbd2
- +0.18 3...h6 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d5 6.e3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,290 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Torre Attack, Grünfeld Variation, Main Line3...Bg7 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play ...Bg7 and ...O-O quickly, then ...d6 and ...e5. Avoid passive moves that allow White to set up e4 and e5 for free. When White's bishop sits on g5, ...h6 is a useful question to ask before you strike in the center.
Questions
What are the moves of the Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense?
The Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5. Its ECO code is A48.
Is the Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.04 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,290 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.0%. A solid choice for both sides; club players should know King's Indian style ...e5 breaks.
What is the main idea of the Torre Attack: Fianchetto Defense?
Black fianchettoes the bishop and castles quickly. White builds a classical center with e4 and d4, and Black strikes it with ...c5 or ...e5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bg7, with d5 and h6 close behind. 3...Bg7 completes the fianchetto and prepares short castling.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.