Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation
The Gossip Variation of the Torre Attack is 3...Ne4, where Black kicks the g5 bishop at once. White retreats with Be3, Bf4 or Bc1, while Black develops with ...Bf5, ...e6 and ...c5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4
- ECO
- D03
- Engine
- −0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 472 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.Be3 is the engine's choice, keeping the bishop safe and protecting d4.
- Nh4 targets the f5 bishop after ...Bf5, as in 4.Be3 Bf5 5.Nh4.
- g3 and Bg2 is a fianchetto setup that pressures the e4 knight.
- Leaving the bishop on g5 allows ...Nxg5, which gives Black the bishop pair for free.
Black
- ...Bf5 and ...e6 develop quickly, support the e4 knight and keep the light-squared bishop active.
- ...c5 hits d4 and opens the c-file, gaining space while White spends time on bishop moves.
- ...Qb6 hits b2 now that the bishop has left c1, a common trick in these d4 systems.
- If White plays 4.Bf4, the line 4...c5 5.e3 Qb6 hits b2 and asks White to play Nc3.
Plans and pawn structure
Black gains time on the bishop and White must decide where to put it. Black develops comfortably with ...Bf5, ...e6 and ...c5. White aims for Nbd2 and a quiet setup, trading off the e4 knight when convenient. In the Be3 line, Nh4 chases the f5 bishop, and g3 with Bg2 puts pressure on the knight. The engine slightly prefers Black, but the game stays maneuvering.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.19: level. Its three top choices for White:
- −0.19 4.Be3 Bf5 5.Nh4 Bd7 6.g3 e6
- −0.24 4.Bf4 c5 5.e3 Qb6 6.Nc3 Qa5
- −0.29 4.Bc1 Bf5 5.g3 e6 6.Nh4 h5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
472 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, retreat the bishop with 4.Be3 and develop. Avoid trading on e4 without a plan, and watch ...Qb6 against b2. A fianchetto with g3 and Bg2 adds pressure to the e4 knight and d5 pawn, and Nbd2 can challenge the knight at once.
Questions
What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation?
The Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation starts 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4. Its ECO code is D03.
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 472 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.9%. A good choice for Black players who like quick development; White must be careful not to fall behind.
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation?
Black attacks the bishop on g5 at once, gaining time for development. White retreats calmly and develops, while Black gets an active setup.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Be3, with Bf4 and Bc1 close behind. 4.Be3 keeps the bishop safe and protects d4.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.