Trompowsky Attack: Raptor Variation
The Raptor Variation is 2...Ne4 3.h4, where White leaves the bishop on g5 and protects it with the h-pawn. If Black takes the bishop, hxg5 opens the h-file for the rook; Black prefers to ignore it and hit the center with ...d5 or ...c5.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.h4
- ECO
- A45
- Engine
- −0.15 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 223 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- If Black grabs with ...Nxg5, recapture hxg5 and use the open h-file for the rook against h7.
- Against ...d5, play Nd2 to trade off the e4 knight, then answer ...Qa5+ calmly with Bd2.
- Against ...c5, push d5 to gain space and retreat the bishop to c1 if ...h6 asks the question.
- After ...h6, Bf4 keeps the bishop active and f3 later pushes the e4 knight back.
Black
- Play ...d5 first: it supports the e4 knight and prepares ...c5 against White's center.
- After Nd2 and the trade on e4, recapture with the d-pawn and use ...Qa5+ to win back the c5 pawn.
- The ...c5 push straight away hits d4; after d5, ...h6 and ...e6 break up White's central pawn.
- Avoid taking on g5 too early: the rare ...Nxg5 line hands White the h-file for one bishop.
Plans and pawn structure
White's h4 is a commitment: it guards g5 but weakens the kingside and g3. Black wants a central fight with ...d5 and ...c5, where the e4 knight is strong and White's pieces are not ready. If White trades with Nd2 and Nxe4, Black's pawn on e4 gains space and the queen check on a5 recovers material. In the ...c5 lines with d5, Black chips at the pawn with ...e6 and often reaches an early queen trade on d8 with an easy game.
Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.15: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.15 3...d5 4.Nd2 c5 5.Nxe4 dxe4 6.dxc5
- −0.08 3...c5 4.d5 h6 5.Bc1 e6 6.dxe6
- 0.00 3...h6 4.Bf4 c5 5.f3 Nf6 6.d5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
223 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Raptor Variation, Hergert Gambit3...Nxg5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, keep it simple with ...d5 and ...c5. Your knight on e4 is well placed, and White's h4 pawn does nothing for the center. Taking on g5 is the line White is hoping for, so leave it unless you have calculated the h-file attack.
Questions
What are the moves of the Trompowsky Attack: Raptor Variation?
The Trompowsky Attack: Raptor Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.h4. Its ECO code is A45.
Is the Trompowsky Attack: Raptor Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.15 at depth 20, which is level. In 223 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.7%. An aggressive sideline for White players who want early chances, but a calm Black player with ...d5 and ...c5 gets a comfortable game.
What is the main idea of the Trompowsky Attack: Raptor Variation?
White keeps the g5 bishop in place by guarding it with h4. If ...Nxg5, the h-file opens for White's rook, so Black usually plays ...d5 or ...c5 and fights for the center instead.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d5, with c5 and h6 close behind. ...d5 supports the knight on e4 and prepares ...c5, ignoring the bait on g5.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.