Chessy
Trompowsky Attack: d6 – A Small Plus for White
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d6 3.Nc3, you've reached a popular branch of the Trompowsky. Black has chosen the flexible d6 system rather than committing to e6 or g6 right away. Stockfish rates the position +0.27, a tiny but real edge for White — meaning you are slightly better from the start. The database backs this up: across over 100,000 games, White scores nearly 50% wins, with Black just behind at 46%. This isn't a wild, forcing line; it's a solid, strategic opening where you outplay your opponent in the middlegame. Use the interactive drill below to practise meeting Black's most common replies.
Play the Trompowsky Attack: d6 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
./Trompowsky_Attack_d6_Nc3.epub
Create a free account →The Core Idea: Space and Development
The Trompowsky Attack with d6 isn't about crushing Black immediately — it's about building a comfortable space advantage. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5, Black's ...d6 defends the e5 square and prepares to develop naturally. Your third move, 3.Nc3, brings another piece into the fight and keeps the pressure on the centre. Black's bishop on c8 is still blocked by the pawn on d6, which means Black needs several moves to get all their pieces out. Your plan is straightforward: push e4 to claim the centre, get your knights to f3 and c3, and castle quickly. The engine shows this approach is sound — the small +0.27 evaluation reflects that White has more room and easier development.
The Engine's Favourite: 4.Nbd7
Stockfish's top choice for Black after 3.Nc3 is 4.Nbd7, preparing to meet e4 with ...e5 and challenge your centre immediately. The engine's full line runs: 4.Nbd7 e4 e5 5.Nf3. In that resulting position, White has a classical pawn centre (d4 and e4), and Black's knight on d7 helps support the ...e5 break. As White, you should be ready to play Nf3, develop your bishop to a natural square, and castle. If Black plays ...exd4 at some point, you recapture with your knight or queen, keeping the centre fluid. This line scores 47.4% for White — slightly below average — so make sure you follow up actively, not passively. The key is to maintain your space advantage and look for a chance to push d5 or e5.
Meeting the Most-Played Replies
Black has several common responses, each asking a different question. Here's what to expect: g6 (40,343 games) signals a King's Indian or Grünfeld setup — White scores 49.0% here. Keep developing and consider e4, then Bg2 or Bh6. h6 (10,543 games, 52.5% for White) challenges your bishop immediately. You can retreat to h4, d2, or even exchange on f6 — your score jumps above 50%, so trust your position. e6 (7,317 games, 50.6%) points toward a Dutch or Queen's Indian. Just play e4 and develop normally. c6 (6,087 games, 45.6%) is your worst scoring reply — be careful here. Black prepares ...b5 or ...Qb6. Your best response is e4 and solid development. Bf5 (3,829 games, 51.1%) is a slightly unusual move that blocks the e-pawn — White scores well against it. In every case, the recipe is the same: seize the centre with e4, complete your development, and castle.
Your Repertoire After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d6
The Trompowsky: d6 is an excellent choice if you want a safe but active position as White. You're never worse out of the opening — the +0.27 edge and the 49.8% White win rate prove it. Unlike some sharper Trompowsky lines (like 2...Ne4), this ...d6 system is positional. Your tasks are clear: get e4 in, develop knights to c3 and f3, connect your rooks, and look for a favourable pawn break. The computer suggests that precise play maintains your edge through the middlegame. Use the data above to prepare for each of Black's main replies — especially the slightly tricky ...c6 line — and you'll be scoring well above the average.
Results across 101,733 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| g6 | 40,343 | 49.0% |
| Nbd7 | 21,592 | 47.4% |
| h6 | 10,543 | 52.5% |
| e6 | 7,317 | 50.6% |
| c6 | 6,087 | 45.6% |
| Bf5 | 3,829 | 51.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Why does Black play ...d6 in the Trompowsky?
Black plays ...d6 to reinforce the e5 square and keep options open. Unlike ...e6 or ...g6, ...d6 doesn't commit to a specific setup immediately. Black can still go for a King's Indian, a Pirc, or even a Hippo-style arrangement. The downside is that ...d6 does nothing to contest the centre, which is why White scores +0.27 — a small but consistent edge.
What is the best move for White after 3.Nc3?
White's automatic plan is to play 4.e4, claiming the centre. After 4.e4, Black's most accurate response is 4...Nbd7, preparing ...e5. You then play 5.Nf3 and continue developing. Against other moves like ...g6 or ...h6, just keep pushing forward with e4 and natural development. The engine confirms e4 is the move that maintains your advantage.
How should White handle ...h6?
When Black plays ...h6, you have several good options. You can retreat the bishop to h4 (the most common), to d2, or simply exchange on f6. All are fine. The statistics show White scores 52.5% after ...h6, which is your best result against any of the top replies. Don't feel forced to capture; keeping the bishop and playing e4 is a solid approach.
Is the Trompowsky: d6 a good opening for beginners?
Yes, it's excellent for beginner and intermediate players. The ideas are clear — centre control, quick development, safe king. There are no tricky traps to memorise, and you don't need to know long forcing lines. The 49.8% White win rate in the database confirms that practical players do well with it. It teaches good positional principles without being boring.