Chessy
Torre Attack: When Black Plays Ne4
You have opened 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5, the Torre Attack. Black instantly challenges your bishop with 3...Ne4, stepping into a position that has been played nearly 50,000 times online. You retreat to 4.Bh4 — and now it is Black's turn. This page breaks down what is happening in this early imbalance, which Black moves are mistakes, and how you can steer the game toward your best winning chances. Jump into the interactive drill below to practise the position live.
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Create a free account →What You Are Fighting For
The Torre Attack aims to pin Black's knight on f6 against the queen, but Black's 3...Ne4 dodges the pin by moving the knight out of the diagonal. After 4.Bh4 White's bishop is still on the h4-d8 diagonal, eyeing the kingside. The engine evaluates the position at -0.67, a small edge for Black, so the opening has gone slightly off-plan for White. Your task is to stay alert: Black's knight on e4 is advanced but can become a target if Black does not support it correctly. The statistics show that White still scores 52.1% wins from this position, so practical chances are very much alive — especially if Black picks one of the common inaccuracies.
The Engine's Answer: 4...h5
Stockfish's best continuation is 4...h5, a move that prevents White from playing Bg3 or g4 ideas and keeps the knight on e4 stable. The engine line runs: h5 c4 f6 cxd5 — Black prepares ...f6 to chase the bishop while pushing the h-pawn. If your opponent finds 4...h5, the position remains balanced but tricky. At your level, Black will rarely play this precise move. You should be ready for it, but the data shows that Black chooses one of the other options far more often.
What the Statistics Reveal
The numbers from nearly 50,000 games tell a clear story. Black most often plays 4...h6 (7,941 games) and 4...c5 (7,708 games), and both are classified as inaccuracies. Here is how the most popular replies score for White: - 4...h6 (7,941 games): White scores 52.5% — an inaccuracy, losing ~0.7 pawns. - 4...c5 (7,708 games): White scores 44.9% — an inaccuracy, losing ~0.5 pawns. - 4...Nc6 (5,528 games): White scores 55.9% — a mistake, losing ~1.1 pawns. - 4...Bg4 (5,177 games): White scores 55.6%. - 4...f6 (4,773 games): White scores 55.7%. - 4...c6 (4,282 games): White scores 49.0%. Notice that 4...Nc6, 4...Bg4, and 4...f6 all give White above 55% winning chances. If Black plays one of these moves, you enter a favourable middlegame.
The Most Common Mistakes to Punish
Two moves stand out as inaccuracies you can exploit. If Black plays 4...h6, it wastes time and weakens the kingside pawn structure slightly — White scores 52.5%. The better move was 4...h5, so Black's natural-looking ...h6 gives you a small edge. If Black plays 4...c5, an immediate challenge to your centre, White scores only 44.9%, so this is more dangerous for you — be ready with solid development. The clearest mistake is 4...Nc6, which loses roughly 1.1 pawns in evaluation. Black develops a piece but fails to address the needs of the e4-knight. After 4...Nc6 your plan should involve putting pressure on the knight and centre. In all cases, the engine's recommendation h5 is what you hope Black does not find.
Results across 49,699 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| h6 | 7,941 | 52.5% |
| c5 | 7,708 | 44.9% |
| Nc6 | 5,528 | 55.9% |
| Bg4 | 5,177 | 55.6% |
| f6 | 4,773 | 55.7% |
| c6 | 4,282 | 49.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Torre Attack with 3...Ne4 good for White?
After 3.Bg5 Ne4 4.Bh4, Stockfish evaluates the position at -0.67, meaning a small edge for Black. White scores 52.1% in practice, so the position is playable but slightly uncomfortable. If you enjoy offbeat early struggles, it is fine, but be aware that Black has equalised.
What is the best move for Black after 4.Bh4?
The engine's top choice is 4...h5, preventing Bg3 and preparing ...f6. The continuation is h5 c4 f6 cxd5. Very few club players find this, so you will often face 4...h6 or 4...c5 instead, both of which are inaccuracies.
Should I play 4.Bh4 or 4.Bxe4?
The Torre Attack line is 3.Bg5 Ne4 4.Bh4, keeping the bishop on the board. Taking on e4 with 4.Bxe4 is a different variation. In this lesson we cover 4.Bh4, which keeps the pin potential alive and challenges Black to prove the knight sortie is worthwhile.
Why is 4...h6 an inaccuracy?
Black plays 4...h6 to ask what the bishop will do, but the engine prefers 4...h5 instead. The move h6 loses about 0.7 pawns in evaluation because it does not help support the knight on e4 or challenge White's centre as effectively as h5 would. White scores 52.5% after 4...h6.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack: Ne4?
Over 49K Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Torre Attack: Ne4 position. White wins 52.1%, Black wins 44.5%, with 3.5% draws — based on real rated games.