Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation

About this variation

After 2...c5 3. d5 Qb6, White offers the b2 pawn with 4. Nc3. Taking it leads to sharp play.

The Poisoned Pawn Variation is 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3. Black attacks the b2 pawn, and White defends it indirectly by developing, so that 4...Qxb2 5. Bd2 gains time against the queen. It is a sharp line where Black must know the risks of taking the pawn.

After 4...Qxb2 5. Bd2, White threatens Rb1, gaining time on the queen and driving it to an awkward square such as a3. Black must react, almost always with 5...Qb6, and White has good compensation for the pawn. After 4...Qxb2 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. e4, White has a strong center and quick development.

White's plans include e4 and f4 to build a big center, Rb1 to use the open b-file, and a quick attack before Black can develop. White's compensation is long-term and based on development and space.

Black's ideas include ...d6 and ...g6 for solid development, ...e6 to challenge d5, and ...Qb6 to keep the queen safe. Black can also decline the pawn with 4...d6 or 4...g6.

A common mistake for Black is to take the pawn and then keep the queen in danger. A common mistake for White is to give up the pawn without following up quickly.

This line suits White players who like gambits and quick development, and Black players who are willing to take risks to win material.

One concrete line is 4...Qxb2 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. e4 d6 7. f4 g6 8. Nf3 Bg7, when White has a big center for the pawn and aims for e5. Black must be careful to finish development before White's attack arrives.

Players who prefer a quieter game with Black can decline the pawn with 4...d6 or 4...g6, developing normally and keeping the queen on b6, where it still eyes b2 and makes White's queenside development awkward.

It is one of the main lines of the Trompowsky Attack.