Trompowsky Attack: Classical Defense, Big Center Variation
The Big Center Variation of the Trompowsky is 3.e4, using the pin on f6 to build a broad e4 and d4 pawn center. Black can grab the bishop pair with ...h6, strike with ...c5 or play ...d6, while White aims for fast development and space.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4
- ECO
- A45
- Engine
- +0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 761 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 3...h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6, develop with 5.Nc3 and Qd2, then castle long or short.
- Against ...c5, push d5 to gain space, as in 4.d5 d6 5.Bb5+.
- Nc3 and Nf3 develop quickly while supporting the e4 and d4 pawns.
- e5 gains space and kicks the f6 knight when Black has not played ...h6.
Black
- ...h6 asks the bishop to decide and wins the bishop pair after Bxf6 Qxf6.
- ...c5 hits d4 and forces White to choose between d5 and dxc5.
- ...d6 holds e5 and keeps the center solid, making White's e5 push harder to arrange.
- ...a6 and ...b5 gain queenside space, as in the main engine line.
Plans and pawn structure
White has a big center and a lead in development. Black gets the bishop pair after ...h6 and Bxf6, and aims for ...a6, ...b5 and ...c5 to challenge the center. White wants Nc3, Qd2, O-O-O or O-O, and an attack with f4 or e5. The middlegame is a fight between White's space and Black's bishops, which need open lines to work.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.18 3...h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qd2
- +0.31 3...c5 4.d5 d6 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+
- +0.40 3...d6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Nf3 h6 6.Bf4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
761 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, play 3...h6 and get the bishop pair. Avoid passive moves that let White push e5 without cost. After Bxf6 Qxf6, use ...a6 and ...b5 to expand on the queenside before White's pieces gain more space and the e5 push arrives.
Questions
What are the moves of the Trompowsky Attack: Classical Defense, Big Center Variation?
The Trompowsky Attack: Classical Defense, Big Center Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4. Its ECO code is A45.
Is the Trompowsky Attack: Classical Defense, Big Center Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 761 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.8%. Good for White players who like space and attacking chances; Black needs to use the bishop pair.
What is the main idea of the Trompowsky Attack: Classical Defense, Big Center Variation?
White builds a big center with e4 and d4, and Black gets the bishop pair after ...h6. The fight is about White's space against Black's bishops.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is h6, with c5 and d6 close behind. 3...h6 asks the bishop to decide and wins the bishop pair.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.