Main Line with 2...Ne4: Retreat to f4 and f3 Thrust
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4, retreating with 3.Bf4 is the premier modern response. White preserves the bishop pair, prepares to kick Black's knight with f3, easily neutralizes the queen check on a5 with c3, and seizes total central control with e4 and d5.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3 Qa5+ 5.c3 Nf6 6.d5 e6 7.e4 exd5 8.exd5 d6 9.Qd2 Be7 10.c4 Qxd2+
Move by move
- 1.d4 – The classical opening strike 1.d4! You seize the center, open diagonal lines for the c1-bishop, and initiate a solid, highly dynamic contest.
- 1...Nf6 – Black responds with 1...Nf6: developing the knight centrally, preventing an immediate e4, and keeping flexible options for future defense.
- 2.Bg5 – The Trompowsky Attack with 2.Bg5! You actively deploy the bishop outside the pawn chain, immediately pinning the f6-knight without touching c4.
- 2...Ne4 – Black chooses the most ambitious response: 2...Ne4! The knight leaps to the center, attacking your bishop directly to challenge its dominance.
- 3.Bf4 – You retreat the bishop to f4: keeping the active diagonal toward the center, preserving the bishop pair, and preparing to kick the knight with f3.
- 3...c5 – Black counterstrikes with 3...c5: undermining the base of the d4-pawn in an attempt to open the queen's diagonal and generate swift counterplay.
- 4.f3 – The thematic key move: 4.f3! You immediately evict the intruder from e4 and lay the groundwork to seize the full center with a subsequent e4.
- 4...Qa5+ – Black tries the intermediate check 4...Qa5+: attempting to exploit the diagonal and gain breathing room before White's center rolls forward.
- 5.c3 – You parry smoothly with 5.c3! Blocking the check, solidly reinforcing the d4-pawn, and renewing the immediate threat to Black's e4-knight.
- 5...Nf6 – Black's knight is forced to retreat to 5...Nf6: Black has wasted precious opening tempos without obtaining any meaningful central control.
- 6.d5 – You gain vital territory with 6.d5! Pushing the pawn forward deprives Black's knight of c6 and severely constricts the opposing pieces.
- 6...e6 – Black attempts to undermine your central wedge with 6...e6, seeking to open lines before White can fully mobilize and consolidate the center.
- 7.e4 – Triumphant expansion with 7.e4! You construct an imposing pawn center, firmly protect d5, and clear pathways for your light-squared bishop.
- 7...exd5 – Black trades in the center with 7...exd5: attempting to alleviate pressure on their pawns, but opening avenues that benefit White's pieces.
- 8.exd5 – You recapture with 8.exd5: retaining the powerful advanced wedge on d5 while maintaining a clear space advantage and central dominance.
- 8...d6 – Black consolidates with 8...d6: checking the further advance of d5 and opening a diagonal to develop their light-squared bishop.
- 9.Qd2 – You develop the queen with 9.Qd2! Preparing queenside castling or harmonious maneuvers with Na3-c4 to increase pressure on Black's weak d6-pawn.
- 9...Be7 – Black develops the bishop to e7: preparing short castling to tuck their king away before open operations commence in the center.
- 10.c4 – You consolidate with 10.c4! Solidly defending the d5-pawn and offering a queen exchange to transition into a positionally dominant endgame.
- 10...Qxd2+ – Black trades queens with 10...Qxd2+: hoping to simplify, but conceding White a completely risk-free endgame with superior central space.
How to exploit the position
Retreat the bishop to f4 to preserve the bishop pair and keep central pressure
- Meet the flank counter 3...c5 with 4.f3! instantly challenging Black's knight
- Block the 4...Qa5+ check smoothly with 5.c3 consolidating the diagonal
- Push 6.d5 to conquer vital central space and deprive Black's pieces of squares
- Build the ideal center with e4 completing harmonious minor piece development
Master tips
The thrust 4.f3 is the thematic key: it evicts the knight and prepares e4
Do not fear the 4...Qa5+ check: 5.c3 parries effortlessly while bolstering d4