The Trompowsky's poisoned b-pawn is lesson 8 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 2: gambits, an opening course suited to players rated around 1200 (improving players). Trompowsky Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation, A45. White gives b2 to gain time on the queen. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Trompowsky Attack. Black's queen on b6 hits b2. White develops and gives the pawn. About 67,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nc3! The knight develops and leaves b2. If Qxb2, Bd2 prepares Rb1, and the queen must run.
After Qxb2 and Bd2, the queen goes back to b6, and e4 builds a big centre. White has gained a lot of time. The engines like White a little.
Recap.
In the Trompowsky, Qb6 often hits b2.
Nc3 develops and leaves the pawn.
After Qxb2, Bd2 prepares Rb1.
White gains time and builds the centre with e4.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Trompowsky Attack, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's queen hits b2. Develop a knight and let her take.
Black declines with d6. Build the centre.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Trompowsky Attack, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Qb6. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's queen hits b2. Develop a knight and let her take. That is the poisoned pawn idea. Each move gains time on the black queen.
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