2...c5 3.d5 Qb6 4.Nc3: the poisoned pawn is variation 6 of 6 in the Trompowsky Attack course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A45). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3 Qxb2 …. Black hits d4 with 2...c5 and the queen goes after b2. White gives the pawn and develops fast. The queen has to come back, and White gets a big centre with e4 and f4 and quick castling. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Black develops.
2. Bg5 – The Trompowsky bishop.
2... c5 – Black hits d4 at once.
3. d5 – White pushes past and gains space.
3... Qb6 – The queen attacks b2. The b2 pawn has no guard, because the bishop has left c1.
4. Nc3 – White develops and gives the b2 pawn. This is the poisoned pawn line.
4... Qxb2 – Black takes the pawn.
5. Bd2 – The bishop comes back to guard c3. Now the queen has to watch out for Rb1.
5... Qb6 – The queen gets out before White's rook can trap it.
6. e4 – White takes the centre. White has a pawn less but much more space.
6... d6 – Black stops White from playing e5.
7. f4 – White adds a third pawn to the centre and prepares e5.
7... e5 – Black blocks the centre before White can push.
8. Nf3 – White develops and adds pressure on e5.
8... Nbd7 – Black guards e5 with the knight.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
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