Chessy
Beat the Torre Attack, Gossip Variation as Black
After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4, White has already put a piece on an awkward pin and you must decide how to meet it. The position is not a disaster for either side, but it does ask precise questions right away. In the drill below, practise the most natural response and learn what to expect when White chooses the main continuations. Your goal is simple: stay calm, hit back at the centre, and avoid the slip that gives White an easy edge.
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
This opening is less about memorising long theory and more about understanding the struggle around White's bishop and the centre. Black has met 3.Bg5 with ...Ne4, so the immediate issue is whether White can keep the pin, retreat the bishop, or challenge the knight in a useful way. The position is still balanced, so you do not need to force anything. What matters most is choosing a move that keeps your pieces active and your position stable.
The engine move to know
Stockfish rates this -0.16, a small plus for Black. That means you are very slightly better here, but only if you handle the position accurately. The engine's best move is Bf4, and the main continuation given is Bf4 c5 e3 Qb6. For practical play, that tells you the idea: respond actively, keep pressure on White's setup, and do not let White decide the game for free.
What the database says White usually does
This exact position has been played 146,416 times on Lichess, so the replies are not guesswork. The most played continuation is Bh4, with 47,304 games. Bf4 is also very common, with 37,277 games, while e3 appears in 21,374 games. The other listed tries are Nbd2, Nc3, and Be3, so your drill should prepare you for several bishop retreats and development moves, not just one automatic answer.
The mistakes you can punish
The clearest practical news is that some White moves are already slipping. Nbd2 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns, with Bf4 as the better move. Nc3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, again with Bf4 as the better move. That does not mean you can relax, but it does mean White can go wrong quickly if you stay alert and meet the position with good piece play.
What kind of game you should aim for
Across 146,416 games, White wins 47.2%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 49.0%. Those numbers say the position is very playable for Black and completely suitable for a practical game. You are not trying to prove a forced advantage; you are trying to reach a healthy middlegame where your pieces are active and White has not gained anything special from the bishop move.
Results across 146,416 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bh4 | 47,304 | 52.1% |
| Bf4 | 37,277 | 48.5% |
| e3 | 21,374 | 43.2% |
| Nbd2 | 9,765 | 42.7% |
| Nc3 | 7,760 | 42.3% |
| Be3 | 5,986 | 41.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation good for Black?
Yes. The current position is dead level overall, and the database results are close enough to suggest a fully playable game for Black. If you know the main response and stay accurate, you are not under any special opening pressure.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine's best move is Bf4. The continuation it gives is Bf4 c5 e3 Qb6, which shows that active development and central pressure are the main ideas.
Which White move is most common after 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4?
Bh4 is the most played continuation, with 47,304 games. Bf4 is also very popular, with 37,277 games, so you should be ready for both bishop retreats.
What White mistakes should I watch for?
Nbd2 is marked as a mistake and Nc3 as an inaccuracy. In both cases, the stronger move was Bf4, so those are the replies to know when White develops naturally but not quite accurately.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation?
Over 146K Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack, Gossip Variation position. White wins 47.2%, Black wins 49.0%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.