Chess opening · ECO D03
Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack
Bringing the dark bishop to g5 on move three, before White plays e3, defines the Torre Attack. The bishop targets Black's f6 knight, the piece that guards d5 and e4. White usually follows with e3, Nbd2 and c3, a compact setup that keeps the option of taking on f6 and pushing e4 later.
- Rank by weighted share
- #153 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5
- 3. Bg5The bishop leaves c1 before e3 shuts it in. Right now the e7 pawn stands between f6 and Black's queen, so there is no pin yet. As soon as Black plays ...e6, the f6 knight is pinned against the queen on d8.
What changes after ...e6
Once the e7 pawn moves, the diagonal from g5 to d8 opens and the knight on f6 can no longer move without exposing the queen. Black usually breaks the pin with ...Be7, and the bishop on e7 then shields the queen.
If White takes on f6 before ...Be7, Black recaptures with the queen or the g-pawn. The queen recapture keeps the pawns intact and hands Black the bishop pair.
Hitting the bishop with ...Ne4
Black can also jump the knight forward to e4, where the d5 pawn protects it. From there it attacks the g5 bishop and the f2 pawn. White often moves the bishop to f4 or h4 rather than allow a trade on g5.
Black can follow with ...c5, putting pressure on d4 before White has finished developing.
The quiet Torre setup
3... e6 4. e3 c5 5. Nbd2 Nc6 6. c3 Be7 7. Bd3
White's pawns on c3, d4 and e3 form a firm base, and the bishop on d3 points toward h7. After castling White often prepares e4. Black's ...Be7 has broken the pin and freed the f6 knight to move again.
Top replies by rating
e6 leads every band from 1200 to 1999. At 2000 and up Ne4 takes first place, and Nbd7 climbs into the top three.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | e6 44% | Nc6 22% | h6 17% |
| 1400–1599 | e6 39% | Ne4 18% | Nc6 12% |
| 1600–1799 | e6 43% | Ne4 17% | h6 11% |
| 1800–1999 | e6 37% | Ne4 25% | Bf5 10% |
| 2000 and up | Ne4 36% | e6 22% | Nbd7 18% |
Questions
Does Black have to fear Bxf6?
It is a normal part of the position, not a threat to dread. White gives up the bishop pair to damage Black's pawns or to gain time, and Black decides how to recapture depending on which plan suits the game.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.