Chessy
Trompowsky Attack: Borg Variation — Black’s guide
The Trompowsky Attack: Borg Variation starts with an unusual bishop chase, and as Black you are the one who must decide whether to keep pushing or calm the position down. The drill below puts you in that exact moment: White to move, Black to respond. Your job is to recognise the best practical reaction, avoid the most tempting mistakes, and understand why this line can become sharp very quickly.
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After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 g5, the position is already concrete and uncomfortable for White. Black has thrown a pawn forward to hit the bishop, so the game is no longer about slow, quiet development alone. The main practical question is whether White can hold the bishop pair comfortably or whether Black’s direct play creates enough nuisance to win time and space. In this drill, you are learning the black reaction in that immediate, forcing position.
What the engine wants you to do
Stockfish rates this +0.62, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine’s best move is Bc1, and the listed continuation is Bc1 d5 f3 Nd6. That is the model to learn: White retreats, and Black responds by keeping the centre under control and completing development rather than overextending. When the position is sharp, choose moves that reduce White’s initiative and help you stabilise.
What the database says about the position
Across 36,165 games at this exact position, White wins 52.5%, draws 3.1%, and Black wins 44.4%. That tells you this is not an equal comfort zone for Black, but it is also not an automatic disaster. The results show that White has the better practical score, so you need to play accurately and punish overreaching moves. This is a good drill if you want to handle a slightly worse position without panicking.
The replies you will see most often
Several continuations are especially common, and they give you a clear idea of what White players try first. Bg3 is the most played move with 11,103 games, followed by Be5 with 9,851 games, Be3 with 6,148 games, Bc1 with 3,866 games, f3 with 2,171 games, and Qd3 with 1,455 games. The most useful habit is to stay alert when White keeps the bishop active or tries to support the centre, because those are the moves that can set Black more problems if you drift.
Mistakes to punish immediately
This position has a few known errors that you should recognise on sight. Bg3 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns; the better move was Bc1. f3 is also a mistake and loses about 1.5 pawns; again, Bc1 was better. Qd3 is the biggest listed mistake here and loses about 2.2 pawns, with Bc1 the stronger choice. If White gives you one of these loosening moves, the lesson is simple: don’t waste the chance, and keep your development and central grip coordinated.
Results across 36,165 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg3 | 11,103 | 49.1% |
| Be5 | 9,851 | 61.5% |
| Be3 | 6,148 | 49.4% |
| Bc1 | 3,866 | 54.7% |
| f3 | 2,171 | 42.2% |
| Qd3 | 1,455 | 47.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Trompowsky Attack: Borg Variation good for Black?
It is playable, but the numbers here are not ideal for Black. Stockfish gives White a small edge, and the database also shows White scoring better overall in this exact position. If you choose it, you need to know the key replies and handle the position accurately.
What is the engine’s best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is Bc1, and the continuation given is Bc1 d5 f3 Nd6. That is the main idea to study in the drill. It shows Black’s task is to respond concretely and keep the position under control.
Which White moves are most common in this position?
The most-played continuations are Bg3, Be5, Be3, Bc1, f3, and Qd3. Bg3 is by far the most common, with 11,103 games. Those are the replies you are most likely to face in practice, so they are worth learning first.
What should I look out for when White makes a mistake?
The main mistakes listed are Bg3, f3, and Qd3. In each case, Bc1 is noted as the better move. If White chooses one of those weaker continuations, you should be ready to take advantage of the lost time and the loosened position.
How many games feature the Trompowsky Attack: Borg Variation?
Over 36K Lichess games have reached the Trompowsky Attack: Borg Variation position. White wins 52.5%, Black wins 44.4%, with 3.1% draws — based on real rated games.