Trompowsky Attack

A chess opening that aims to disrupt Black's plans by attacking the knight on f6 and potentially doubling Black's pawns.

The main idea behind this opening is to put immediate pressure on Black's knight on f6, forcing Black to make a decision on how to deal with the threat. If Black captures the bishop with 2...Ne4, White can recapture with the pawn, doubling Black's pawns on the e-file and creating an imbalanced pawn structure.

The opening can lead to various pawn structures and middlegame plans, making it a flexible choice for White. It is often used as a surprise weapon, as many Black players are more familiar with the main lines of the Indian defenses (such as the King's Indian Defense and the Nimzo-Indian Defense) that arise after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4.

One of the key benefits of this opening is that it allows White to avoid many of the heavily analyzed lines in other d4 openings, potentially catching Black off-guard and unprepared. However, it is not without its drawbacks, as Black has several solid options to counter the opening, such as 2...e6, 2...d5, or 2...c5.

Overall, this opening is an interesting and aggressive option for White players looking to create imbalances and avoid well-trodden theoretical paths. It has been employed by many top-level players, including former World Champion Garry Kasparov and English Grandmaster Julian Hodgson.