ECO A45 · Trompowsky Attack

Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Qxb2+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation (A45), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Qxb2 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.334… Qxb2 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. f4 d6 7. e4 e5 8. fxe5 dxe5 9. Nf3
  2. +0.634… d6 5. Qc1 h6 6. Bd2 Qd8 7. e4 e6 8. Nge2 a6 9. a4
  3. +0.694… a6 5. e4 d6 6. Qc1 h6 7. Bd2 Qd8 8. a4 e6 9. Bd3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Qxb2 for Black, continuing 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. f4 d6 7. e4 e5 8. fxe5 dxe5 9. Nf3. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 4… d6 (+0.63) and 4… a6 (+0.69).
Is the Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation?
A45. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).